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Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri detailed the year’s accomplishments in a 28-page report Tuesday but singled out five as major ones during his fourth annual public forum Tuesday.
Topping his list were the free Rockin’ the River public concerts at the county-owned River Common in Wilkes-Barre that drew more than 6,000 area residents of all ages. Pedri said he’s already started reaching out to sponsors to hold another concert series in July intended to provide a local attraction and boost usage of the waterfront amenity along the Susquehanna River.
Receipt of the highest credit rating in county history — an A- from Standard & Poor’s — also made his list along with two purchases — a new paper-trail voting system and 911 emergency radio communication system.
Pedri said public education on the new voting system and other election changes will be a priority leading up to the April 2020 primary election.
“With the eyes of the world being on Luzerne County as they have been, I want to make sure that it runs as smoothly as possible,” Pedri said of the election.
He expressed confidence in his council-approved recommendation to purchase the voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems Inc.
Rounding out his top five list was implementation of a short-term investment plan that generated $124,000 in revenue. The county realized the earnings through no-risk investing of approximately $10 million in real estate tax revenue that was collected in April and May but not needed to cover bills until later in the year, he said.
Three citizens — Jason Carr, Brian Shiner and Sam Troy — attended the forum in the courthouse rotunda and peppered Pedri with questions and feedback for more than an hour.
Carr asked Pedri what he’d say to citizens who do not believe he is the “best person for the job.”
Since taking over as manager in 2016, Pedri said the county cleared a deficit that had lingered on the books for several years and reached a high of $16.9 million. He said he has come in under-budget every year and addressed many neglected maintenance needs during his tenure, including restoration of the historic courthouse.
“There will be people out there who don’t like me no matter what I do,” Pedri said. “I think my record, the successes we’ve had, speak for themselves.”
The citizens asked why he proposed a 5% tax hike, which was later reduced by council to 3.25%.
Pedri said inherited debt from borrowing by past commissioners eats up more than $24 million of the budget — a payment that will increase next year. In comparison, he said the two borrowings approved since home rule’s 2012 implementation were for specific projects — an energy savings initiative and the voting/911 radio systems.
“I’m paying the credit card debt from a government that has long since been defunct,” he said, referring to the prior commissioner system.
He said the 2020 real estate tax hike is essentially covering two increases — $1.5 million more for the employee pension fund subsidy and a $2.2 million rise in health insurance.
Shiner asked why the health insurance is increasing so much. Pedri said it is rising $600,000, but the county also must make up for $1.6 million that council had covered with one-time revenue no longer available next year.
While drafting the proposed budget, Pedri said he refused many department requests for increases. He said he is limited in areas to cut without impacting public safety and customer service.
Carr told Pedri many believe nepotism and cronyism still “play a role” in hiring.
Saying a merit hiring process is now in place, Pedri maintained the “days of having to know somebody in the county to get a job here are over.”
However, Pedri said he is sometimes “constrained” by a lack of applicants with extensive experience due to the salaries offered. In such situations, he said he generally opts to choose the most qualified applicant instead of leaving positions vacant.
On a broader note, Carr asked Pedri where he sees himself in five years.
Pedri said it’s unlikely he would retire as manager because he is only 40 years old.
He said he intends to “live up to” his employment agreement through 2022 and would then make a decision that’s best for his family, noting council also retains the power to terminate him.
A lawyer residing in Butler Township, Pedri said he could have been in private practice but viewed the public service position as an “amazing opportunity” to improve his native county.
“I’m going to keep taking little steps to make this place better,” Pedri told the group.
Pedri’s report will be posted on his section of the county website at www.luzernecounty.org.
Among the many other developments he highlighted:
• Computer servers were relocated from the courthouse to the county’s Emergency Management Agency in Wilkes-Barre to reduce the risk of downtime due to power outages and other events. This also ensures GIS/Mapping data is directly shared with county 911 during emergency operations.
• Two new holding cells were installed in the prison booking area to provide confidentiality between incoming inmates and medical/mental health staff.
The prison also completed installation of a body scanner, which will detect contraband concealed inside body cavities.
• The county veteran affairs department obtained $3.09 million in new benefits for veterans and their dependents in the 2018-19 fiscal year and distributed more than 86,000 flags to decorate veteran graves for Memorial Day.
• The sheriff’s department revitalized its water rescue boat and trailer and trained deputies in watercraft operations.