Commissioners poised to issue budget plea
Discussion about the state budget impasse – with emphasis on trying to avoid one in the future – dominated a short Sunshine meeting of the Chester County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, March 8.
The commissioners reviewed a resolution urging the General Assembly and administration to “restore funding for human services programs to historic levels,” as well as “put mechanisms in place to assure any future budget impasse or budget delay does not become a burden on Chester County and its constituents.” It will be voted on during the commissioners’ regular meeting on Thursday, March 10.
Funding for human services within the Chester County area has been decreasing progressively over the last 10 years, including a “drastic 10 percent aggregate cut” to seven human service line items, the resolution said. Human services include programs that protect vulnerable individuals, including children, those with mental health disorders or intellectual disabilities, those in need of substance abuse treatment, and the homeless.
“This is particularly timely since this coming weekend we will travel to Harrisburg for the County Commissioners’ Association, and we’ll also have an opportunity, I believe, to spend some time with the governor himself,” said Commissioners’ Chairman Terence Farrell.
He pointed out that “human services are critical to many citizens in Chester County,” making it imperative to avoid another impasse. “Was it only a year ago, and we’re still sort of in it?” he asked.
Commissioner Kathi Cozzone responded that even after the state began distributing funds to counties, some other organizations and providers, such as the Penn State Extension, have still not been made whole.
Farrell said that the resolution has the backing of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) and that other counties have already passed it. According to the resolution, the county lost $33,000 in investment income because it had to liquidate investments to make up for the state’s shortfall.
Keith Hayes, who heads the Department of Children, Youth and Families, applauded the commissioners for ensuring that county programs continued and vendors got paid. He said everyone in human services “appreciated your support this past year, probably the most difficult budget year any of us have been through.”
Vince Brown, head of Drug and Alcohol Services, echoed Hayes’ comments. He added that some critical programs were on the verge of being canceled, noting that “there are people literally alive and doing much better today than they would have been” without the county bailout.
Cozzone expressed gratitude for the praise; however, she said the commissioners could not have bridged the gap without assistance from department heads and their staffs.
In other business, the board heard a proposal from Bill Gladden, director of Chester County’s Department of Open Space Preservation, to raise the Conservation Plan writing fee schedule, which was last updated in 2012.
“The fee increase would reflect their actual costs; we’re not looking to make money on this,” Gladden stated. He said about nine plans are in progress, and he estimated a $500 to $800 increase per plan. The plans are required to participate in the program, but landowners are not required to use county services, he said.
Gladden explained that the fees, typically paid by landowners, would go to the county to cover the costs of preparing the paperwork. In some cases, he said nonprofits or land trusts cover the costs for the landowner.
About Morgan Carter
Morgan Carter is a creative writing student interning with Chadds Ford Live. She loves tea, long walks on beaches, and baking – provided there is a recipe on the back of the box. She lives in Chadds Ford with her parents, three siblings, and two spunky parakeets. Morgan is very excited to be a part of the Chadds Ford Live team, and hopes to pursue a career in writing after graduating from college.
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