Luzerne County Council completed a packed voting session that included unanimous votes on several budget items, approval of property-sale procedures and one notable defeat of a proposed exclusive broadcast agreement with Service Electric.

Key outcomes:
- Budget amendment (Agenda Item 2): Council adopted an ordinance amending the FY2025 budget for a derivative payment by unanimous roll call.
- Demolition/Rehabilitation Fund (Agenda Item 3): Council adopted the ordinance establishing the fund (8 yes, 1 no) after debate about process and oversight.
- Property sales and minimum bids (Agenda Items 4–5): Council approved advertising an RFP for broker services tied to 54 West Union Street and set a minimum bid equal to the appraised value ($2,100,000) for 100 West Broad Street (Hazleton), removing the word "auction" from the resolution language; amendments and final resolution votes passed unanimously.
- Service Electric broadcasting agreement (Agenda Item 6): Council considered an agreement approving exclusive broadcasting rights for Service Electric. An amendment to allow Service Electric to place advertising on YouTube recordings passed unanimously. A second amendment to remove exclusivity passed 5–4, but the final resolution failed on a subsequent roll call (4 yes, 5 no).
- Opioid settlement allocations and ARPA modifications (Agenda Items 8–12): Council approved multiple allocations of opioid-settlement proceeds (to Pathway to Recovery and Wyoming Valley Behavioral Health) and ARPA project modifications for Swoyersville Parks, Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance (passed 8–0 with one abstention), and Hazleton (unanimous).
- Appointment (Agenda Item 13): Council confirmed Michelle Barich as Division Head of Operational Services at $98,800 per year plus benefits; the appointment was approved unanimously.

Council discussion highlights: Several council members and public commenters urged caution about contracts and exclusivity (Service Electric) and requested additional budget transparency, including posting the proposed 2026 budget and position list to the county website. Controller Griffith repeatedly raised procedural and fairness questions about pay increases and contract terms.

Votes at a glance (selected):
- Opioid allocation to Dr. Jeff Lewis — outcome: failed (3 yes, 6 no).
- Ordinance amending FY2025 budget (derivative payment) — outcome: passed (unanimous).
- Ordinance establishing demolition/rehab fund — outcome: passed (8 yes, 1 no).
- Service Electric broadcasting agreement (final vote) — outcome: failed (4 yes, 5 no).
- Appointment of Michelle Barich, Division Head of Operational Services — outcome: passed (unanimous).

What’s next: Council directed staff to prepare and provide additional materials on budget posting, implementation procedures for new funds, and taxation figures tied to the Tenor Health presentation for future deliberations.