Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monroe County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Monroe County Housing Needs Assessment
The county adopted its $489,652.92 Act 137 affordable housing trust fund budget for fiscal 2026, funding housing programs through real estate transfer fees.
Opioid settlement recovery grants
The county is putting $166,300 of opioid settlement money toward three treatment and recovery organizations, including Path to Peace, Northbound and the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol Commission.
2027 Budget Season Begins
The board set special meetings for the 2027 budget presentation and adoption, and commissioners noted budget work is ramping up quickly.
Strong turnout in November 3 election
Seven election office employees will work five extra hours a week through November 3 for election training and workload. The county also submitted its Election Integrity grant closeout report for nearly $593,000.
Correctional facility safety equipment
The jail is getting 150 leather radio cases and 17 ballistic helmets to outfit staff.
2026 Water Quality and Stream Monitoring Contracts
The county hired Microbac for its 2026 water quality testing ($15,141.75) and Michael Bilger to sub-sample 39 aquatic insect samples ($13,962) — routine environmental monitoring of county waterways.
FY 2026 Community Development Block Grant
The county's $391,735 federal block grant will mostly go toward fixing up 11 to 13 owner-occupied homes for low- and moderate-income residents. The application goes to the state October 30, with a resolution vote October 21.
School bus safety — Operation Safe Stop
It's National School Bus Safety Week, and PennDOT is reminding drivers to stop at least 10 feet from buses with red lights flashing. Drivers illegally passing stopped buses is a growing problem nationwide.
Rally against sexual violence
Safe Monroe will hold its Take Back the Night Rally on Courthouse Square on April 2 from 4:30 to 6 p.m., supporting survivors of sexual violence.
Jail drug and alcohol counseling contract
The county picked Recovery Revolution to provide counseling at the county jail at up to $99,840, after opening bids from three providers.
Courthouse Square parking lot plans move forward
A Stroudsburg resident pressed the county on plans for a gravel lot across from a restaurant and on opening the county parking deck to the public on weekends. Commissioners said they're getting engineering estimates on converting the lot but may need it for future courthouse expansion, and cited vandalism, security, and 16 weeks of deck repairs as reasons weekend public parking is difficult.
New SEIU Local 668 labor agreement
The county approved a four-year contract with its social services union, running through the end of 2029.
New county water tank
The county accepted a $1.84 million COSTARS proposal from Mid Atlantic Storage Systems for a new water tank and installation — the day's biggest purchase.
CodeRed emergency alert system renewal
The county renewed its CodeRed emergency notification service for a year at zero cost through the regional counter-terrorism task force. Residents stay reachable during emergencies without it costing taxpayers.
Liability insurance cost increase
The county's liability insurance came in 16 percent higher than the 12 percent increase it budgeted, requiring a $47,500 budget adjustment.
Shared Ride Program rate changes
Rides to medical appointments for eligible county residents — the county fronts the money and the state reimburses it quarterly. A resident asked who it serves; officials confirmed it's need-based, medical appointments only, sign-up through the Transportation Authority.
Student survey privacy concerns
Theresa Pesce pressed the county on where high-school students' survey data went — she says neither the DA's office, commissioners nor PCCD have records from third-party vendor the Kerry Group, which built, analyzed and stores the surveys.
Historic preservation after Boys School demolition
A $782,000 demolition grant payment will tear down buildings vacant since the 1990s on Birch Street in East Stroudsburg, and it protects a $1.8 million state redevelopment grant. The site could soon be sold and returned to productive use.
Downtown Stroudsburg public safety concerns
A resident told commissioners violence downtown is escalating weekly and demanded a joint meeting with borough council, the borough manager, police chief Jennifer Lyons and county officials to find solutions. She said she has not received follow-up from the police chief.
287(g) Immigration Agreement Follow-up
Residents asked whether the jail is holding arraigned people up to 48 hours for ICE or sending lists of foreign-born inmates to federal authorities. Chairman Christy said the county has NOT adopted 287(g) and promised to check with the warden.
Election Integrity Grant Program funding
Vice Chairman Parker said he'll propose guidelines at the Election Board meeting after a conversation between an elected official and a borough employee about election strategy raised concerns about pressuring staff on political matters.
Bond arbitrage liabilities to U.S. Treasury
The county acknowledged owing the U.S. Treasury $789,023.71 in arbitrage on its 2021 bonds and $8,860.19 plus $292.90 interest on its 2022 bonds — a federal requirement when bond earnings exceed allowed levels.
Sanofi Pasteur gas corridor capital project increase
The county boosted Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funding for the Sanofi Pasteur gas corridor project by $4 million through MCIDA. It's a major industrial infrastructure investment at the biotech campus.
Pocono Family YMCA project funding
The county approved $3.75 million in RACP funding for the Pocono Family YMCA project. This supports a major community recreation facility improvement.
July 4th storm recovery resources
Businesses hit by the July 4th storms and power outages can apply for SBA low-interest disaster loans, and residents can tap a new $50,000 Realtors Relief grant (capped at $1,000 each). A relief center at the Middle Smithfield community center is open through August 21.
Data centers and rising electric and water costs
The county accepted a new planning guide explaining what data centers are and how towns should evaluate proposals. It's educational only — it doesn't regulate anything — and will be posted on the county website for residents and municipalities.
Courthouse security upgrade
The Old Jail is getting a $312,500 roof and gutter replacement, the courthouse parking deck needs another $166,050 in third-floor concrete repairs, and $57,813 in new courthouse security equipment was ratified.
Commodity flow survey for emergency preparedness
The county is paying $10,950 (grant-funded) to map all hazardous freight moving through Monroe County by rail and road, so emergency crews are better prepared if something goes wrong.
Byrne JAG re-entry grant for Cornerstone Community Initiative
The county certified its support for Cornerstone's state grant application, which funds pre-entry services for people leaving incarceration in Monroe County — aimed at reducing repeat offenses.
Bridge #12 replacement change order
The county hired Verdantas for $47,000 to inspect its bridges over the 2025-2027 cycle and recommend which ones need construction work in 2026-2028. It's routine infrastructure upkeep that helps catch problems before they become closures.
Courthouse construction completion
The county added $22,296 to its Lobar Construction contract for extra drywall, framing locks, and soffits on the ongoing courthouse project.
Great Wolf Lodge expansion state grant
The county signed off as pass-through on a $2.5 million state RACP grant for the Great Wolf densification project. A resident questioned why a profitable resort gets state money; the chairman said the state invests to grow hospitality, a key county industry.
America250PA Keystone art installations
Keystone-shaped art pieces celebrating America's 250th anniversary are going up across Monroe County townships, created largely by Pocono Mountain School District art students. One was even gifted to Wyoming County after being made for the Tunkhannock Viaduct.
Flock camera locations and surveillance contracts
A resident asked who holds information on Flock camera locations and contracts in the county, citing privacy concerns. Commissioners explained there's no central clearinghouse — each municipality manages its own contracts — though Vice-Chairman Parker noted a public website shows Flock camera locations.
Pride flag not displayed at administration building
A resident praised the recent Pocono Pride Festival's success but expressed disappointment the Pride flag wasn't flown at the county administration building as in prior years, citing neighboring counties' nondiscrimination ordinances.
Veterans Affairs office recognition
The commissioners publicly thanked the Veterans Affairs office for the first time in 14 years. Deputy Director Eric Morin dug through records and discovered a Vietnam veteran had earned a Purple Heart that a clerical error never recorded — unlocking benefits he'd been denied for decades.
West Nile virus detected in Monroe County
The county's mosquito coordinator confirmed West Nile virus has been found locally, but stressed it's low-risk except for infants and the elderly. The main fix is on homeowners: dump standing water in buckets, tires and barrels, and change bird bath water weekly.
Transit local match for 2026-27
The county committed $253,128 as its local match to unlock state operating assistance for the Transportation Authority. This helps keep Pocono transit service running for riders who depend on buses to get to work, appointments, and services.
Youth emergency preparedness club
4-H is teaming up with the Office of Emergency Management and first responder groups to launch a youth emergency preparedness club, aiming to funnel more young people into volunteer firefighter and EMS careers — a real need as volunteer ranks shrink.
Archives digitization grant application
The county is applying for a $349,994 grant to digitize roughly 75% of its historic archive collection, making old county records easier for the public to access online and better preserved for the future.
Goose Pond Dam rehabilitation funding
The county is seeking $2.8 million in federal Community Project Funding to rehabilitate the Goose Pond Dam for fiscal years 2027-2028.
Foster family shortage
The county locked in $84,554 in rapid rehousing contracts and up to $340,000 in group home and therapy services for children and youth placed by the courts.
Lower inmate phone rates
The new Securus amendment complies with FCC rules that slashed incarcerated people's call fees — meaning cheaper calls home for jail inmates' families.
Fixed-price natural gas and phone contracts
The county locked in natural gas at $5.59 per MCF for three years (lowest of three quotes) and switched to T-Mobile for Governments, which Vice-Chairman Parker said saves substantial money. A Starlink kit keeps county communications alive when cell networks jam up at the racetrack.
Gun safety youth survey and PCCD funding
Dr. Toleno reported two gun-safety sessions reached about 60 people each, with cable gun locks given to participants — and he and John Jakobsen will testify before the PA House Judiciary Committee on April 13 about the grant program's success.
Parking garage maintenance contract
The county finally picked a contractor to fix up the parking garage, choosing the lowest of seven bids. Good news for anyone who parks downtown for work, court, or events.
National Library Week and library support
Commissioners proclaimed National Library Week and heard from library directors about the tech services, programs, and community spaces libraries provide beyond books.
Hotel tax grants for community events
Seven local events and groups got hotel-tax money, from $150 for Founders' Day to $15,000 for the Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder West End Fireman's Festival and $10,000 for Stroudsburg's America 250 events.
CSBG aid to Pike County human service agencies
Ten community organizations — from Meals on Wheels to Safe Monroe to the Salvation Army — will share $380,840 in community services block grant money this year.
Farmland preservation — Field farm easement
The county is spending $213,800 to permanently preserve about 22 acres of the Field family farm in Hamilton Township — the 129th preserved farm. The family has farmed the land since the 1730s.