Itâ??s your money, so have your say

NOTHING MAY be as certain as death and taxes, though the anxiety of change can't be far behind.

All three collide tonight as Luzerne County Council meets to decide the future of tax collection in the county.

Here are the options for the council.

• Should the county switch to in-house collection by the county Treasurer's Office? It could save money and generate more revenue say proponents. (Or maybe not say opponents.)

• Should the county keep the 69 elected tax collectors and change the pay structure to $2 for collected bills and $1 for unpaid ones, which would save an estimated $228,000 annually?

• The council could change the fee structure to $2 for paid bills and nothing for unpaid ones, saving around $234,000 annually.

• Or the council could adopt the fee option presented by elected collectors: $2.75 for paid bills, $1 for unpaid, with a 25-cent bonus for each paid bill if a collector exceeds prior three-year collection rates. Estimated savings -- $125,000.

The first ordinance to receive at least six of 11 votes will take effect, county officials say. The county council must decide by Friday, Feb. 15 so the vote tonight sets the course for the future.

The public meeting about the tax collectors – along with other issues – will be held at 6 p.m. tonight in the county's Emergency Management Agency building, Water Street, Wilkes-Barre.

One thing is certain. It's your money. So let your opinion be known.