Public commenters press commissioners to support regional community college; several commissioners oppose a new county tax

Advocates for a regional community college asked the Northumberland County Commissioners during public comment on Tuesday, Jan. 7, to support their multi-county effort and to meet with project leaders to explore next steps, studies and public outreach. Speakers said the proposal aims at workforce development and could increase long-term county revenue.

"This is a tax. It smells like a tax. It looks like a tax. It's a tax," said Hank Baylor, identifying himself as a member of the project's board, who asked commissioners to "consider us as a project that you can support" and requested at least a letter of support. Baylor told commissioners the proposed levy would be $1.25 per household per month — roughly $15 per year — and referenced an EMSI economic-impact report that project supporters say estimates a 600% return over 10 years.

A second public commenter (name not provided in the record) said the group has solicited letters of support, including from people incarcerated in Cole Township who wrote that access to a community college might have prevented criminal behavior and aided reentry. That speaker asked the board to meet with project organizers, consider funding a consultant study with joint stakeholders (county commissioners, local chambers of commerce, workforce development board and regional partners), and hold town halls to inform the public.

Several commissioners expressed support for the concept of expanded local postsecondary or technical education but drew a line at a county tax dedicated to creating a new community college. One commissioner said they would "never approve of a tax on our county taxpayers to support a community college," saying they could support meetings and assistance but not a levy. Another commissioner said the county already is served by other institutions such as Luzerne and Lackawanna and questioned whether local demand would justify a new college.

An additional commissioner emphasized interest in lifting workforce skills without increasing tax burden, noting supporters have gathered petitions (the speaker said more than 3,000 signatures in Northumberland County). The commissioners invited project representatives to meet with county staff to discuss next steps; no formal action or funding commitment was taken at the meeting.

Ending Project organizers left materials and requested follow-up meetings with county staff; commissioners directed staff to make meeting arrangements on request. No formal vote or referral was recorded.