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Luzerne County officials did a lousy job of communicating the severity of the financial strain caused by the state’s months-long stoppage of funds.
Many residents, including certain members of the 11-person county council, thought the county government was merely in a temporary pinch because Harrisburg had halted payments to its human services agencies.
Turns out, administrators told the Times Leader on Monday, the county stands on the verge of total shutdown.
Officials indicated Luzerne County needs an immediate $20 million loan to continue operating through year’s end. The pronouncement stunned many, not the least of which were council members compelled on Tuesday night to debate whether to approve the borrowing, billed as a “bridge loan,” or take other drastic action.
Although council members knew that borrowing would be up for discussion at this week’s meeting, the matter previously had been cast in a less-dire light. Suddenly, however, the loan approval became what amounted to a gun-to-the-head vote.
It shouldn’t be that way.
Cellphone providers issue warnings to customers who are possibly about to exceed their data-usage limits and incur higher charges. Roadside signs warn motorists of approaching hazards, including sharp curves and nasty bumps.
Certainly, county Manager Robert Lawton or someone in his chain of command could have provided the council’s members with a more appropriate heads-up: an email, perhaps, stating, “Hey, we are almost out of money!”
That’s not to imply we disapprove of the short-term borrowing of funds at low interest rates to carry the county through this dry spell. The action itself probably was unavoidable – given the maddening circumstances that led to it.
After all, the budget standoff in the state capital has continued for nearly five months, cutting off money where it’s badly needed. Rape crisis centers in Pennsylvania recently appealed to local businesses for loans to help them make payroll until state reimbursements arrive. Similarly, some school districts are strapped, or quickly becoming strapped, for cash. Hazleton Area School District reportedly will pursue a line of credit of up to $30 million.
Luzerne County’s government certainly didn’t create this November cash crisis. We understand why it had to look for an emergency loan. What isn’t so clear is why it had to be an 11th-hour surprise.
Poor communication between Lawton’s team and council continues to be a stumbling block for progress under home rule. We hope, as newly elected council members take office in January, any personality conflicts finally can take a back seat to more transparency, teamwork and productivity.