Wilkes-Barre — The City Council on Dec. 11 approved a consent agenda that included the appointment of David Wilson to the Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority, authorization to seek a $3,000,000 tax anticipation note (TAN) and authorization for the mayor to execute articles of agreement to join the Luzerne County Emergency Services Commission.

Administrator Charles McCormack said the TAN is intended to provide short-term cash flow coverage until tax receipts arrive in early February. "Cash flow to pay bills," McCormack said, describing the TAN as a one-year instrument; he told council the lowest lender proposal received was from Fidelity Bank and the taxable rate discussed was 3.5%. The agenda materials referenced $2,000,000 in one place and the presenter said the authorization being sought is for $3,000,000, which prompted several councilors to ask for clarification.

The council also considered a resolution to appoint David Wilson to the Parking Authority, with an appointment term noted to expire Dec. 31, 2028. The administrator said Wilson also serves on the land bank and has previously appeared before council for other commission business.

The third consent item authorized the mayor to execute articles of agreement to join the Luzerne County Emergency Services Commission, described by staff as an intermunicipal effort to coordinate law-enforcement and emergency-response resources, share equipment, and improve eligibility for grants.

Council agreed to take three resolutions and the minutes as a consent item. The motion to adopt the consent agenda was made by Mister Maren and seconded by Mister Bolisco. Roll-call votes were recorded in favor by Mister Barrett, Mister Bolisco, Mister Maren, Mister McClay and Mister Brooks. The chair confirmed the consent vote and the items were approved.

Why it matters: A TAN provides temporary liquidity so the city can meet obligations before property-tax revenue is collected; the increase in the TAN amount and related budget questions prompted public comment and council questions during the meeting. The intermunicipal emergency-services agreement is intended to formalize resource-sharing among municipalities in Luzerne County.

The council moved on to public comment and other agenda items; no additional formal votes on these individual resolutions were recorded beyond the consent approval.