Chris Belles
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 9
- Total speaking time
- 41:35
- Avg per meeting
- 4:37
- Segments
- 430
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The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Belles said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
2027 county budget introduction
Sets the county's spending and potentially tax levels for 2027.
LERTA tax-abatement procedure overhaul
LERTA rules affect how much property tax relief developments get, which shifts tax burden.
Sale of county-owned rail holdings to RJ Corman
The financial terms of the proposed sale were discussed in executive session and are not public in these materials.
Data center and energy facility zoning ordinance
The draft ordinance contemplates community benefit packages and financial security requirements from developers, which could shape what future projects contribute to the county.
Surveillance resolution revision
Ballot Drop Box oversight
New boxes would carry installation, maintenance, and security costs, though no specific figures were given.
Using rail sale proceeds to offset property tax increase
Could reduce the proposed 1.99% property tax increase by an amount to be determined by council.
Lower Demunds Road Phase II grant
Grant amount not stated in the record; if awarded, state funds would offset local road costs.
2027 Capital Plan and Courthouse Facade Priority
Full budget numbers aren't assembled yet — the engineer warned the 'optimal' maintenance plan may exceed what the county can afford.
Ballot drop box review — May 2026 primary
New boxes would cost roughly $20,000 each plus software and maintenance; none are in the 2027 budget.
Landlord contact information list (Act 29)
Property owners who knowingly file false or stale contact info face a $500 fine; owner-occupants pay nothing.
Domestic violence shelter capacity
Opioid settlement fund allocations
Dollar amounts were not stated in the meeting; funds come from opioid settlement proceeds.
Keystone Mission ARPA termination and Code Blue shelter funding
De-obligated ARPA funds must be spent elsewhere; shelter improvement funding is uncertain.
Probation raises and court budget reductions
Roughly $80,000 in court budget reductions plus removal of 3% raises for affected probation staff.
Certification of the May 19, 2026, General Primary Election
Handicap accessibility at Penn Place drop box location
Possible curb-cut construction costs are unknown but would fall on the county, not the election bureau.
Utility and insurance cost increases
Electricity budgets will likely need a mid-year transfer just to get through 2026; insurance premiums rise every year.
Solicitor's office budget and death penalty costs
About $1.1 million more than 2026, with each potential death penalty defense costing taxpayers roughly $100,000.
Division head restructuring proposal
About $270,000 in gross savings, roughly $200,000 net after the four division head raises.
Decisions during term (111)
Recorded while Belles was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Adoption of October 13, 2026 voting session minutes
LERTA economic revitalization tax abatement ordinance
Multimodal Transportation Fund grant resolution
Resolution opposing mass automated surveillance
ARPA modification — Borough of Shickshinny project
ARPA modification — Lower Demunds Road
ARPA modification — Emergency Management
ARPA modification — Countywide stormwater improvements
Opioid settlement allocation — Luzerne/Wyoming County Drug and Alcohol (first)
Opioid settlement allocation — Luzerne/Wyoming County Drug and Alcohol (second)
Opioid settlement allocation — Wyoming Seminary
Adjournment of public hearing
Adoption of agenda
Approval of September 16, 2026 meeting minutes
Publication of Official Notice of Election Proclamation
Canvassing Board appointments
Adoption of Budget Work Session Agenda
Adoption of Work Session Agenda
Adopt voting session agenda
Adopt September 22, 2026 voting session minutes
Voting record (45)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
LERTA economic revitalization tax abatement ordinance
Called it long overdue.
Multimodal Transportation Fund grant resolution
Resolution opposing mass automated surveillance
LERTA ordinance amendments
Zigmund & Company security/bond limits for 2027
Award Luzerne County Act 13 funds
Request Phase II Strategic Management Planning Program grant
Opioid settlement funds to XT Enterprise (RecoverU)
ARPA modification — Jewish Community Alliance of NEPA
ARPA modification — Oblates of Saint Joseph
Terminate Keystone Mission ARPA agreement and de-obligate funds
Sale of 54 West Union Street to MAHS Real Estate Ventures
Declare vacancy on Luzerne County Housing Authority
Declare vacancy on Luzerne County Industrial Development Authority
Resolution Approving/Objecting to Sale of Rail Holdings
Resolution Authorizing County Manager to Negotiate Agreement of Sale with Reading and Northern
Ordinance establishing penalties for failure to comply with property contact information law
Resolution approving/objecting to sale of rail holdings
remove Item 5, Motion to adopt Resolution of the Luzerne County Council Requesting that the Luzerne County Board of Elections Examine Potential Locations for Additional Ballot Drop Boxes for the 2026
Motion to delete Item 4 (ballot drop box resolution) from the agenda
Introduction of LERTA procedures ordinance (Item 2)
Amendment to drop box resolution — Hazleton City Hall relocation study (Item 4)
Adoption of resolution requesting Board of Elections examine additional ballot drop box locations (Item 4)
Opioid settlement allocation — Berwick Area Transitional Services (Item 5)
Opioid settlement allocation — Dress for Success Luzerne County (Item 6)
Opioid settlement allocation — Guardian Angel Recovery House (Item 7)
Opioid settlement allocation — Restorative Roots (Item 8)
ARPA project modification — Luzerne County Buildings and Grounds I (Item 9)
ARPA project modification — Wyoming Valley Airport Improvements (Item 10)
ARPA project modification — Wyoming Valley Airport LC Engineering (Item 11)
Lease renewal with Grande, Inc. for Magisterial District Court 11-01-03 (Item 12)
Motion to delete drop box resolution from voting agenda
Believes council has no say over election board matters