Luzerne County Government

January 15, 2010

County considering outsourcing security

Security department received allotment of $481,308 for salaries in the 2010 budget.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
Jennifer Learn-Andes on Facebook   |   @TLJenLearnAndes on Twitter

Luzerne County Commissioners are exploring the outsourcing of security to see if it would save money, officials said during Thursday’s work session.

Commissioners plan to vote next week to seek proposals from companies interested in providing security for county-owned buildings and properties.

The county employs 28 full-time security guards.

County Chief Clerk/Administrator Doug Pape said the option is still “exploratory,” similar to the county’s research into outsourcing the tax claim office.

The county received eight proposals from companies interested in running tax claim, but Pape said seven have been ruled out because the fees were too high. Commissioners will be interviewing the remaining company next week, he said.

The county’s 2010 budget eliminates funding for all seven full-time tax claim employees, but Pape said no employees in that office will be furloughed unless commissioners agree on a plan to privatize tax claim operations.

The county security department has received an allotment of $481,308 for salaries in the 2010 budget – a reduction of $74,400 compared to 2009.

The county budgeted $842,000 for security next year.

In addition to salaries, the department is earmarked $27,100 for other staff costs, $262,400 for employee benefits, $46,500 for employment taxes, $13,100 for liability insurance, $10,000 for supplies and $1,700 for gas, the budget shows.

Security employees were notified of the planned vote before the work session. Several security workers declined comment.

Security director Basil Soroka is paid $29,170. The pay for security guards ranges from $18,800 to $29,000, according to county records.

The department is responsible for providing security at the courthouse and nearby annex and Bernard J. Brominski Building, including the public parking areas. Guards also man the River Street pedestrian crossing between the annex and courthouse.

County guards also provide security at the county’s Penn Place Building and two human services department buildings in Wilkes-Barre and at two county-owned buildings in the Hazleton area.

A guard was also assigned to Moon Lake Park in Plymouth Township, though the park is slated to close.

Security workers say they also process identification badges for all employees, monitor fire alarms and other security equipment and stay after hours for extended court proceedings and public events.

“People think we just stand around all the time doing nothing, but that’s not true,” one worker said on the condition of anonymity.

Commissioners have said they must pursue all possible savings because the 2010 budget raises taxes 10 percent – possibly more if the budget is amended before Feb. 15. An angry taxpayer had advised commissioners to pursue more outsourcing when the budget was approved last month.

The county’s financial recovery consultant, Public Financial Management, had advised reducing the county’s security personnel by 20 percent.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews

Send Question or Remark to the Publisher