You’ll Find Out Why Commissioners Spent Another $357K After They’ve Agreed to Spend It

The secretive financial agenda at the Courthouse continues. 

Schuylkill County Commissioners will be asked to vote on a significant supplemental budget appropriation resolution at Wednesday’s meeting.

The Commissioners are going to be asked to approve $357,155 for the Medical Assistance Transportation program.

This is new spending, which is what a supplemental budget appropriation is vs. a budget adjustment, which the county constantly reminds the public is previously budgeted money just being moved from one line item to another or from one account to another. 

What this $357,155 for MATP is needed to buy or pay for is not disclosed on the public agenda released to the public a day before Wednesday’s Schuylkill County Commissioners meeting. 

And, unless Commissioners are pressed on the subject during the Public Comment period at Wednesday’s meeting, the public won’t find out what this $357,155 is for until seconds before the Commissioners vote on it.

This continues a disturbing, secretive trend by Schuylkill County Commissioners and County government officials to keep the public in the dark on them shifting funds and, in this case, approving new spending. 

We’ve pleaded with the Commissioners to change this practice only to be told, essentially, that this is the way it’s always been. And it doesn’t seem like anyone’s keen on changing this policy, as it were.

By not disclosing what is being purchased with this $357,155 for MATP ahead of the meeting, it prevents the public from formulating any thoughts on it and giving the public a fair chance at questioning the Commissioners on this proposed spending.

Commissioners will also be asked to approve a second supplemental budget appropriation for $16,403 for the Human Services Development Fund.