Luzerne County Government

April 6, 2010

Prothonotary sees savings repairing carpet her way

Carolee Medico Olenginski says she saved taxpayers $2,800 getting her own price.

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

Luzerne County Prothonotary Carolee Medico Olenginski said the county had planned to spend $3,250 repairing the carpeting in her office, but she found someone to do the work for $450.

Medico Olenginski said she thought the county was replacing her carpet, as originally requested, when commissioners voted in February to pay Color-World in Pittston $3,250.

County officials had approved the $3,250 as a change order because Color-World was already the low bidder to install new carpet in the district attorney’s and veteran affairs offices.

Medico Olenginski said she approached Giant Floor when she learned that the $3,250 was for repairs, not replacement. Giant Floor agreed to do the work for $450 and began the repairs Monday night, she said.

“Taxpayers would have been on the hook for another $2,800,” Medico Olenginski said. “I’d hope other departments pay attention. Just because you have something you really need approved, you have to recheck their figures.”

Rather than attempting to find matching carpet tiles, Giant Floor is patching several spots that were safety hazards using carpet tiles removed from hidden parts of the office, such as under file cabinets, Medico Olenginski said.

Medico Olenginski said tile substitution is necessary because extra carpet tiles stored in the courthouse sub-basement have been stolen or discarded.

The county spent $1,785 on the carpet and installation when she was previously in office, she said. That price included the extra case of tiles, she said.

The replacement tiles had been stored in the courthouse in plastic wrap on shelving to prevent water damage, she said.

“It was brand new. We never opened the case,” she said. “Whoever managed to have it magically disappear knew that it was for my office.”

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.

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