FAQ
If you have a question you would like answered, please visit our Citizen Comment section.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS HOME RULE?
The Department of Community and Economic Development defines Home Rule: “The basic concept of home rule is relatively simple. The basic authority to act in municipal affairs is transferred from state law, as set forth by the General Assembly, to a local charter, adopted and amended by the voters. “ This local charter, if written and adopted by Luzerne County voters, would change the structure of our county government.
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMISSION?
The Government Study Commission serves as a representation of the community at large in examining the current local government, considering alternatives, reaching decisions on how the local government might best be run, and presenting their recommendations to the voters. There are 11 members on the Commission, all of whom were elected by Luzerne County voters on May 19, 2009. They serve without pay and the Commission is disbanded once their work is complete.
WHAT IS THE TASK OF THE GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMISSION AND HOW LONG WILL IT EXIST?
The Commission has two main tasks. The first is to examine the current form of county government and to decide whether or not it is adequate for our county. The Commission has up to nine months to complete this study. If the Commission decides that the current form of government is inadequate, they have nine more months to undertake their second task, which is to write a new charter, which will then be placed on the ballot as a referendum for citizens to accept or reject.
WHEN DOES THE GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMISSION MEET?
The Commission meets on Wednesday nights from 7-9 PM at the Stettler Learning Resources Center on Wyoming Seminary’s Upper School campus. Please check the calendar for any schedule updates or changes.
WHAT COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN CREATED BY THE GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMISSION?
In order to thoroughly study the current form of government and to efficiently undertake their tasks, the Government Study Commission has created the following committees:
- Administrative (to study the Courts & Judiciary, Division of Budget & Finance, Division of Ops & Engineering, and Division of Economic Growth & Planning)
- Budget (to procure funds from the county and to account for all expenses)
- Committee on Committees (to set up and assign members to different committees)
- Executive (to study the Board of Commissioners, Elected Row Officers, and Advisory Boards & Commissions)
- Personnel – County Government (to study the Division of Human Services, the Division of Public Safety & Corrections Services, the Division of Environment & Recreation, and the Division of Administrative Services)
- Personnel – Hiring (to interview solicitor candidates as well as coordinate interviews with possible consultants)
- Web Site (to decide on the content of www.luzernegsc.org, the official Luzerne Government Study Commission web site)
- Committee membership is indicated on each member’s biography page.
HOW IS THE GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMISSION FUNDED?
Luzerne County is responsible for funding the Government Study Commission, whose expenses include, but are not limited to, hiring a solicitor and consultant as well as maintaining a web site (members of the Commission serve without pay). The budget committee prepares a detailed budget for the county, which then decides how much money to appropriate. According to the Department of Community and Economic Development, “The commission must keep a strict accounting of its funds. The Home Rule Law requires the final report of the commission to include a sworn statement by the members listing in detail the funds, goods, materials and services, both public and private, used by the commission in the discharge of its duties.”
HOW CAN YOU FIND INFORMATION ABOUT A MEETING’S AGENDA OR MINUTES?
The agenda for each meeting will be posted on the Documents section of the web site approximately 24 hours before each meeting and the minutes from each meeting will be posted once the Commission approves them.
HOW CAN CITIZENS COMMENT ON THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION?
Citizens are welcome to attend Government Study Commission meetings and comment during the “Citizen Comment” section of the meeting. Citizens may also comment online at the Citizen Comment section of this web site.
