Sep. 23--Luzerne County commissioners are required to approve all travel and training that costs more than $1,500, according to a new travel policy.

The policy is the result of last year's disclosure that seven county officials used county debit cards to charge almost $42,000 over 21 months without submitting receipts. The U.S. Secret Service launched an investigation into the debit-card expenses last December.

Commissioners approved the policy last Wednesday. If an employee spends more than $1,500 without obtaining approval from the commissioners, the employee is personally responsible for all expenses that exceed the limit, the new policy says.

At last week's meeting, Wilkes-Barre resident Walter Griffith criticized commissioners for refusing his request to review a copy of the policy Wednesday morning. Griffith said the public should have time to review proposals before the approved.

He said he briefly reviewed the policy before Wednesday's meeting and stated some concerns. He noted the policy didn't include anything on how employees would be punished if they violate the travel policy.

County Human Resources Director Doug Richards said the travel policy is part of an overall personnel policy, which sets punishment for violations.

Web site woes

Luzerne County is having problems with its Web site and can't fix them because the county doesn't have a maintenance contract, Director of Communications Jason Jarecki said.

In 2006, the county paid CDS Creative Inc. of Forty Fort more than $32,000 for a Web site redesign. The county didn't get a contract with CDS, and the company's Web expert now is a consultant, Jarecki said.

During last week's meeting of the elections board, Director of Elections Leonard Piazza said he can no longer post important documents on the Web site regarding the upcoming election on Nov. 4. Jarecki said county computer technicians have not been able to figure out how the fix the Web site created by CDS.

Hicks Creek flooding

The Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority last week voted to demolish a railroad bridge that causes flooding along Hicks Creek in Exeter.

The authority will advertise for bids to dismantle the bridge, which is owned by Pocono Northeast Railroad. Flood Protection Authority Executive Director Jim Brozena said the authority is planning a study into building a new pump station on Hicks Creek to put water in the Susquehanna River and avoid flooding from the creek.

River Common project

The Flood Protection Authority last week agreed to pay the Penn State Cooperative Extension up to $4,200 to provide arborist services for the River Common project in Wilkes-Barre.

Thousands of trees, flowers and shrubs will be planted along the Susquehanna River levee from the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center to the county courthouse. The $30 million riverfront project is expected to be completed by the spring and involves two openings in the levee for public access to the riverfront.

The authority also voted to hire Todd W. Bressi for $13,200 to help plan public art opportunities along the River Common. County commissioners on Wednesday agreed to pay $125,000 to the Cultural Council of Luzerne County for event-programming services at the River Common, which will have a 750-seat amphitheater when the project is completed.

Pension coordinator

Luzerne County officials plan to hire a new pension coordinator to oversee employee retirement benefits and replace a service that has been provided by EBDS, a company based in Allegheny County.

The county Salary Board voted Wednesday to create a pension fund coordinator position for a salary of $35,000 to $55,000 per year. The employee will work in the county controller's office, and Acting Controller A.J. Martinelli estimated annual savings of about $20,000.

Funding to pay the salary and benefits for the pension coordinator will come out of the county employee pension fund.

Michael P. Buffer covers Luzerne County government and politics. He may be reached at mbuffer@citizensvoice.com or 570-821-2073.

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