ORWIGSBURG - The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee held the second annual commissioners' luncheon and open forum Thursday afternoon at the Schuylkill Country Club.
About 70 people attended the event and were able to submit questions to the commissioners during an open forum held after lunch.
John Powers, chairman of the Government Affairs Committee, read the questions, and commissioners Frank J. Staudenmeier, Gary J. Hess and George F. Halcovage Jr. took turns answering each one.
The first question asked what was being done about the overcrowding not only at the prison but also in the human services building.
The commissioners said the pre-release program at the prison has been successful in reducing the numbers at the prison.
"The numbers have come down," Hess said. "They haven't come down to where we like them, but we are going to continue to try it"
The program is similar to parole but involves stricter monitoring and testing. Before the program started in October 2013, the inmate population was consistently more than 300 for about two years.
In February, the average population was 275. The suggested capacity for the prison is 240. At that time, the program included 51 inmates, saving 1,117 total jail days. About 4,468 alcohol tests were administered and 106 drug tests were taken over the month.
Hess said it cost about $500,000 to start the program by hiring extra personnel in adult probation.
"That money I thought was better spent rather than on brick and mortar at this point," Hess said.
When it came to finding more space for county employees, Staudenmeier said it is something that has been talked about the last 10 years.
"It just so happens the (former) Empire building was in the perfect position and was a natural fit for our campus," Staudenmeier said. "We were able to purchase that building and hopefully we will be able to occupy that building by the end of the year."
The county acquired the former Empire Beauty School at 324 N. Centre St., Pottsville, in January 2012 through a 2-1 vote on eminent domain, the right of a government to take private property for public use. Hess, the lone Democrat, voted against the seizure but said he supported purchase, just not the method.
The building cost $455,000 while the parking lot on Second Street was $200,000 and the adjacent lot was $85,000. Funding came from a $21 million bond the commissioners issued in October 2012.
Halcovage said the location of the building was important.
"That was truly important and we also looked at other leases we had in place that we were going to be able to stop and bring those services into that building. We are going to be saving money on that basis," he said.
Another person asked the commissioners about the responsibility of local government and elected officials.
"The reason the county exists is to provide services," Staudenmeier said. "We do things the private sector won't do or can't do. We are here to protect our children and our seniors, incarcerate people who need to be incarcerated, we make sure all those services are there."
The commissioners were asked about the possibility of instituting a $5 vehicle registration fee for county drivers. The state transportation law passed in November 2013 gives counties the option of adopting the fee and that money would then be used on local roads and bridges.
The fee in Schuylkill County would generate $753,615. The commissioners have not yet made a decision on the fee.
"As most of you know, we don't own many roads in the county," Staudenmeier said. "However, we do have 65 bridges that certainly need a lot of attention and some are in dire need of repair and we are able to address three or four of them a year. I believe this is something we need to discuss as it can be a gain in revenue."
The commissioners were also asked if operating a nursing facility was still a core county function and what will be the future of Rest Haven Nursing Home.
"At one time, it was a core function of county government," Staudenmeier said. "Today, we have 12 other nursing homes in Schuylkill County."
The county-run nursing home has had to draw from the general fund to pay expenses in each of the last few years. Since August 2013, the general fund contributed $1 million to Rest Haven in allocations and another $500,000 in a loan.
"This is something that we have looked at and has been on our agenda since day one," Hess said. "We have been looking at all our different options ... We take everything into consideration because this facility has been there a long time and continues to be a good home for the elderly. It has been a part of 'us' and we take that into consideration."
Halcovage also said all options are being considered for the 142-bed facility.
"We have to look at it from a business standpoint," Halcovage said. "It has been a great place, but we have to look at all the options and we are looking at all the options."
Before the luncheon, the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance talked about the organization and its upcoming "Silver Ribbon" campaign.
Georgene M. Fedoriska, executive administrator for the county office of senior services and SEAPA co-chairwoman, said the organization started 10 years ago with the support of the commissioners at that time.
"And they continue to be really supportive of the program," Fedoriska said.
SEAPA receives more than 350 calls about elder abuse each year, she said. Incidents range from self or caregiver neglect to taking advantage of an elder financially.
"Everyone needs to be mindful that it does happen," Fedoriska said.
Eileen Barlow, Schuylkill County ombudsman and SEAPA board member, said the organization wants to educate other entities in identifying and reporting elder abuse. SEAPA has held educational sessions for police, bankers, clery, emergency medical responders and others over the last 10 years.
"We have been blessed with the commissioners' support since day 1 and we could not do what we do without them," Barlow said.
SEAPA is taking orders for silver ribbons for the May fundraiser. For more information, call the office of senior services at 800-832-3313 or visit www.schuylkillelderabuse.com.