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Public commenter presses Lycoming commissioners on landfill funds, timber sales, bridge fees and reassessment
Summary
At the Feb. 11 meeting, resident Todd Lauer asked detailed questions about landfill closure/post-closure account balances, sale proceeds from county land, whether timber should be sold, the status of an 18-bridge fee, and the timeline for property reassessment (2028). Commissioners provided partial answers and estimates.
Todd Lauer, a Jersey Shore resident who identified himself during the public-comment period, used his allotted time at the Feb. 11 Lycoming County commissioners meeting to press for financial and operational details about county infrastructure and services.
Lauer asked for the purpose, funding source and current balances of the landfill closure and post-closure accounts, saying, "The last I knew, my figures was $57,000,000 in 2019." Commissioners and staff responded that closure and post-closure funds are set aside from landfill operating revenue and held in a separate fund that cannot be tapped for other uses; one commissioner estimated the funds are now "below $40,000,000" but did not provide a precise, audited balance during the meeting.
Lauer also asked what happened to proceeds from the sale of former Kalinberger lands and whether the county owns standing timber that could be sold given high market prices. Commissioners and staff did not provide a detailed accounting of sale proceeds at the meeting; staff said those questions would be addressed through normal property and finance channels.
On bridges, Lauer asked about the status of an 18-bridge program funded by a $5 license fee the county enacted previously. A commissioner said the 18 bridges have been completed and that the dedicated fee remains in place until the loan paying for the work is retired; when that loan is repaid the commission said it would rescind the $5 fee.
Lauer asked about a planned $6.7 million radio upgrade and past consulting payments; county staff said work remains on some towers and that staff would provide an update through DPS (Department of Public Safety). On property reassessment, staff confirmed the next reassessment cycle is scheduled to take effect for 2028 taxes and described public meetings and the ability for residents to contest reassessments through the assessment office.
The commissioners provided partial clarifications but did not supply audited payroll- or sale-specific figures on the record; Lauer’s requests indicate community interest in detailed fiscal reporting on capital projects and long-term reserve funds.
