Council introduces Responsible Contractor ordinance after heavy public pushback from local builders

Luzerne County Council voted to introduce an ordinance that would define qualifications for a “responsible contractor” for county projects, sending the draft to further public review. The motion to introduce passed by roll call; introduction does not enact the ordinance but moves it into the formal legislative review process.

The Responsible Contractor Ordinance (RCO) generated extensive public comment from local contractors and trade groups at both the public-comment and work-session portions of the meeting. Speakers argued the current draft was overly exclusionary and would reduce competition, raise construction costs, and disadvantage the area’s largely merit-shop contractor base.

“For heavy construction, the unions made us take two people who then sat on the side while our crew did the work,” said Bernie Banks of American Asphalt, describing past project experiences. James Solano of Apex Construction and representatives of the Associated Builders and Contractors said the RCO, as drafted, could exclude roughly 90% of local contractors and lack clear, enforceable metrics on safety, experience-modification rates and apprenticeship definitions.

Council members who sponsored the ordinance said the draft was revised repeatedly and intended to address public-safety, fiscal-responsibility and workforce-development goals. “Please make sure you are reading the current iteration,” Councilwoman Leanne Stevenson said during the work session; she and others said they would accept further input to refine the language before final consideration.

Roll-call votes to introduce the ordinance were recorded; the motion met the four-vote threshold required to move the draft into the process for public hearings and committee review. Introduction does not adopt policy; the council and staff said there will be additional opportunities for stakeholders to submit written comments and for the council to consider amendments prior to any final vote.

Ending: Contractors and trade groups urged further revisions and stakeholder consultation. Council members said they expect to circulate the current draft publicly and to incorporate additional input before any final passage vote.