Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Certification of the May 19, 2026, General Primary Election
The county board will formally certify the general election results, the step that makes them official. Residents can attend in person or via Zoom and speak during public comment periods.
Data center and energy facility zoning ordinance
Luzerne County is working through a major zoning ordinance update that would define and regulate data centers, battery energy storage systems, and energy generating facilities. The proposed rules touch on environmental impact statements, community benefit packages, and where and how these facilities could operate. This week's focus is a narrow but important piece: defining when a function is "essential."
Sheriff's Department budget amendment for Capias transports
The Sheriff's Department brings people back from out-of-county on Capias warrants and gets reimbursed for it, but the workload blew past its $60,000 budget. The proposal adds $40,000 in revenue and expense lines so transports can continue without draining the General Fund.
Proposed cap on division head salary increases
The 2027 draft budget proposes raises of 15.8% to 23.69% for four top county officials. Council Member Williams is proposing holding each to the standard 3% merit raise, arguing the disparity is unfair to rank-and-file workers and hard to defend to taxpayers facing a 1.99% property tax increase.
Using rail sale proceeds to offset property tax increase
Council is considering applying money from the county's rail line sale directly against the proposed 1.99% property tax increase for 2027, and paying for capitalized assets out of rail proceeds.
Elimination of Voting System Technician position
A newly proposed $48,000 Election Bureau position would be eliminated under the proposed amendment.
Vacant position freezes and vehicle mileage reimbursement cuts
Six long-unfilled District Attorney positions would be frozen, HR restructured under a deputy for about $30,000 in savings, and mileage reimbursement cut for county-owned vehicles.
Probation raises and court budget reductions
Proposals would strip the 3% raise from probation employees who already got grant-funded raises, use leftover grant funds to cover the associated payroll taxes, and cut the courts budget by $80,000 to offset the taxes on those raises.
Reclassification of Director of Communications to part-time
The communications director job was created in 2026 at $70,000 assuming grant funding that never materialized. The proposal would make it a part-time coordinator role capped at $35,000.
Post-Election Audits and Reconciliation
The board was scheduled to carry out a risk-limiting audit, a 2% audit, and full reconciliation of ballots sent, cast, and counted — the checks that verify the election results are accurate.
Adjudication of the November 3, 2026 General Primary Election
The board was scheduled to decide which flagged mail-in, provisional, military, and overseas ballots count in the election. These ballot decisions can determine the outcome of close races in Luzerne County.
District attorney staffing crisis
The DA's office is missing 14 lawyers — down almost 50% from full strength — and prosecutors are carrying ~500 cases each. The DA warned the criminal justice system is in crisis and asked council not to cut prosecutor and public defender budgets ahead of new union contracts.
2027 Capital Plan and Courthouse Facade Priority
The county owns roughly 300 bridges and structures; inspections of smaller ones had lapsed for 20 years and are now ~70% caught up. Ten unfunded bridges are in poor or serious condition, many built with a faulty 'box beam' design that rotted from the inside. Council wants a heat map, priority schedules, and a funded maintenance plan.
2027 Bureau of Elections staffing
The budget adds two new elections positions (~$48,000 each) funded by the Election Integrity Grant: an office administrator for front-line staff and a voting systems technician for ballot preparation. Council wants job descriptions and flagged a possible overlap with an existing IT elections technician.
Duryea Borough demolition fund request
Duryea spent over $60,000 tearing down a fire-gutted, blighted Main Street building and wants Act 152 demolition funds back. Staff confirmed the fund is suited for exactly this and has $78,005 on hand; expect a council vote soon.
Domestic violence shelter capacity
Resident Matthew John told council that local domestic violence shelters are badly over capacity — only about 30 program beds beyond 90-plus emergency beds — and urged the county to stay engaged on the issue.
2027 County Budget Introduction
The county's 2027 budget is officially on the table. It was auto-introduced tonight; residents can weigh in before the final vote.
Surveillance resolution revision
Councilman Chris Belles wants the county on record against mass license-plate-reader data collection, while supporting targeted police use. The county Office of Law recommended against the resolution, arguing it overreaches, but several members backed it as support for state legislation.
LERTA tax-abatement procedure overhaul
Council gave blanket approval to a package of amendments to the LERTA ordinance that governs local tax abatement programs; a public hearing and final vote come next meeting.
Broadway Bridge (Nanticoke) replacement timeline
The Broadway Bridge replacement won't be done until about 2032, and local businesses like Stucky's Barbecue are suffering from the closure. Council Member Smith pressed for expedited state and federal reviews; the county administration is already meeting with Federal Highway and PennDOT to speed things up.
Stevenson Street Bridge and Duryea recreation access
The gated, poor-condition Stevenson Street Bridge serves land Duryea Borough bought for recreation. Instead of an expensive ~$8 million road bridge replacement, the county proposes partnering on a recreational trail bridge that could still carry emergency vehicles.
Ballot Drop Box oversight
Council asked the Election Board to study adding drop boxes countywide and moving the Hazleton box back to City Hall. Supporters say it's about access for elderly, disabled, and working voters; opponents worry about cost and fraud and say elections belong to the Board of Elections, not council.
Handicap accessibility at Penn Place drop box location
The curb in front of Penn Place blocks people with walkers and wheelchairs from reaching the drop box, and only four parking spots exist. Board members suggested a curb cut and referred the issue to county government.
Rick Morelli's departure from the Election Board
Board member Rick Morelli announced he'll step down after the November election, leaving a county council seat to fill. He touted the board's improved checks-and-balances with the Bureau and his role in naming Christine Boyle as chair.
Poll worker shortages ahead of November 3 election
With under two weeks to Election Day, precincts in Slocum, Rice, Bear Creek, Kingston, Dallas and many other municipalities still need poll workers. The Bureau is posting needs on Facebook and asking the press for help spreading the word.
Penn Place drop box jamming and signage problems
Residents observed ballots jamming in the Penn Place drop box, leaving ballots partially exposed and unsecured, with no clear directions for what to do when the box fails. The Bureau promised new signage and said staff respond to jams but can't staff the box full-time.
Solicitor's office budget and death penalty costs
The solicitor's budget jumps about $1.1 million, partly because of potential death penalty cases requiring specially certified conflict attorneys at roughly $100,000 each. Council members questioned whether taxpayers should budget for cases that almost never result in execution — the last county capital conviction was overturned, and the last execution dates to 1938.
Utility and insurance cost increases
Electricity is up 20% and 911's law enforcement liability insurance more than doubled after prior budgets underestimated actual premiums. Council flagged both as budgeting accuracy problems.
Division head restructuring proposal
The county manager proposes eliminating the Administrative Services division head and grant writer, spreading those duties across four other division heads who would each get a $17,750 raise. Net savings to the general fund: about $200,000 a year.
2026 General Primary Election preparation
The elections bureau tested new Hart InterCivic voting equipment, approved official ballots, recruited poll workers, moved the Hazleton ballot drop box to City Hall, and finalized its Election Day continuity plan.
Sutton Creek Road Bridge grant application
The county is reapplying for a $1.5 million state Multimodal Transportation Fund grant to fix a deteriorating county-owned bridge, up from about $1 million last time due to worsening conditions. Some council members want to see a full priority list of the county's ~300 bridges before voting, and questioned why the Act 13 bridge fund's $2.5 million has sat unused for two years.
County bridge and road priority list
Council wants engineer Tom Raleigh's updated ranking of the county's roughly 300 bridges and its roads, and suggested dedicated briefings on each. Questions were also raised about a shut bridge with no alternative route and about putting idle Act 13 bridge money to work.
Honoring the life of Rev. Joseph F. DeVizia
Council honored Deacon Joe DeVizia, who led the Children's Service Center of Wilkes-Barre for 26 years and passed away September 23 at age 83.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation
Council proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, honoring the Domestic Violence Service Center's work.
Italian American Heritage Month proclamation
Council proclaimed October as Italian American Heritage Month, recognizing UNICO Wilkes-Barre's community service.
Sale of 54 West Union Street to MAHS Real Estate Ventures
County is selling its property at 54 West Union Street in Wilkes-Barre to MAHS Real Estate Ventures. A last-minute amendment requires a lien check on the buyer before the sale closes.
Keystone Mission ARPA termination and Code Blue shelter funding
A resident who spent a night at the Code Blue shelter warned conditions are inadequate — no laundry, poor bedding — and urged council to keep or increase funding for shelter improvements before a harsh winter.
Vacancies on Housing and Industrial Development Authorities
Council declared vacancies on both the Housing Authority and the Industrial Development Authority, setting up future appointments that influence affordable housing and economic development decisions.
Sale of county-owned rail holdings to RJ Corman
More than 20 residents — and dozens of emailed comments — pushed council to object to the proposed sale of the county's railroad holdings, including concerns about Rocky Glen abandoned land. Council voted unanimously to formally object.
Human Relations Commission Ordinance
Walter Griffith noted the anti-discrimination ordinance item was pulled from the agenda, and an emailed public comment urged council to re-approve it despite opposition.
Act 13 recreation and conservation grants
The county is set to hand out about $230,000 of its $240,000 Act 13 allocation to seven groups — Little League, historical societies, a sanctuary and more — the first such awards in years. Council debated whether 'free and open to the public' should be a strict requirement.
Surety bond limits for 2027
The county's insurance consultant recommends keeping essentially the same security bond limits for 2027 to protect the county against risk of loss. Premiums are expected to rise modestly, and costs were already baked into the budget.
State grant for salary study
The county wants up to $200,000 from DCED, matched with $200,000 of its own, to fund a salary study and other recommendations from the county's strategic management plan.
Lower Demunds Road Phase II grant
Council asked the state for a Local Share Account grant through Dallas Township to fund the next phase of Lower Demunds Road improvements.
Hanover Township emergency services grant request
Council asked the state for a Local Share Account grant to fund an emergency services equipment bundle for Hanover Township.
Local Share Account grant requests
Council unanimously asked the state for gaming-fund grants: one for Lower Demunds Road Phase II in Dallas Township, one for an emergency services bundle in Hanover Township.
Other public concerns: burn pit, flock cameras, LERTA ordinance
During non-agenda comment, residents raised a burn pit issue, flock surveillance cameras, the recalled-chair effort, removal of the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance from the agenda, and the LERTA tax abatement ordinance.
Landlord contact information list (Act 29)
Under a new state law, counties must keep a contact list for real properties, and council had to pass an ordinance to set the $500 fine for false or outdated info. Owner-occupied homes are exempt, so this mostly affects out-of-area landlords, LLCs and trusts.
Petition review hearing procedures
The board declined to review a challenge seeking to invalidate roughly 8,900 signatures on the referendum petition, likely sending the dispute to court. Both sides argued over whether the county charter or the election code governs.
Ballot drop box review — May 2026 primary
Residents packed the meeting on both sides of whether to add drop boxes. The board moved one Hazleton box to City Hall but said there's no time or money to add boxes before November, possibly revisiting for future elections.