Why This Matters
Informed citizens are the foundation of accountable government. These 10 issues were identified through official audits, public records analysis, and news reports. Each represents an area where citizen attention and oversight can make a difference. Click any issue to learn more.
What Happened
- November 2023: Multiple voters reported selecting one candidate but seeing a different name on the ballot summary screen. County certified results despite documented concerns.
- November 2024: Some polling locations experienced 6+ hour wait times, raising questions about machine allocation and throughput.
- Documentation Gap: 150+ Logic and Accuracy testing documents reported missing or incomplete.
- Results certified by Elections Board despite vocal opposition from some members.
Statutory Reference
- 25 P.S. § 3031.7 - Electronic Voting Systems requirements
What Citizens Can Do
Attend Elections Board meetings. Request L&A testing documentation via Right-to-Know. Advocate for independent security audits. Report any voting anomalies immediately to poll workers and document them.
Key Findings
- Staffing consistently below state-mandated minimums per 55 Pa. Code § 201.18
- 47 documented instances of inadequate RN coverage
- Heavy reliance on expensive agency staff to fill gaps
- County-owned facility serves approximately 600 residents
- Net operating loss of $7.3 million requiring county subsidy
What Citizens Can Do
Monitor Gracedale board meetings. Check CMS ratings at medicare.gov/care-compare. Advocate for competitive wages to improve recruitment. If you have a loved one there, document care quality concerns.
33%
Roads in Poor Condition
Key Findings
- National Bridge Inventory data shows 13% of bridges rated structurally deficient
- Some bridges have weight restrictions limiting emergency vehicle access
- TRIP (Transportation Research) rated 33% of local roads in poor condition
- Deferred maintenance creates compounding repair costs
- P3 (Public-Private Partnership) bridge program exists but faces funding challenges
What Citizens Can Do
Report bridge concerns to Public Works. Attend budget hearings to advocate for infrastructure funding. Check if bridges on your routes have weight restrictions. Support transportation funding initiatives.
$2.98M
School Revenue Lost
What Happened
- LERTA (Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance) provides property tax abatements for development
- Warehouse development in Wilson Area School District granted abatements
- County Executive vetoed the approval citing school district impact
- County Council overrode veto 6-3, approving abatements
- Wilson Area SD loses estimated $2.98M in property tax revenue over abatement period
- Questions raised about job quality and tax base benefit vs. school funding loss
What Citizens Can Do
Attend Council meetings when LERTA applications are reviewed. Ask your school board about tax abatement impacts. Demand cost-benefit analyses before approvals. Contact your Council representative.
Why This Matters
- Controller audits all county accounts and departments per 16 P.S. § 1701-1720
- Pre-audits all vouchers before payment
- Countersigns all warrants (checks) - legal requirement
- Serves on Salary Board, Retirement Board, Tax Assessment Appeals
- Tara Zrinski (former Controller) became County Executive January 5, 2026
- Vacancy creates gap in independent fiscal oversight
Appointment Process
- County Council must appoint replacement within 30 days
- Appointee serves until next municipal election
- No appointment as of this report date
What Citizens Can Do
Contact Council members to urge prompt appointment. Attend Council meetings when appointment is discussed. Ensure appointed candidate has audit/accounting qualifications.
Audit Findings
- MDJ 03-3-02: Inadequate arrest warrant procedures - RECURRING finding
- MDJ 03-2-11: Warrant documentation failures - RECURRING finding
- Same findings appearing across multiple audit cycles indicates lack of corrective action
- Proper warrant procedures are fundamental to due process rights
Statutory Reference
- 42 Pa.C.S. Chapter 51 - Judicial Code
What Citizens Can Do
Review Controller audit reports on court operations. Contact the President Judge's office if concerned. Report procedural issues experienced in court. Advocate for implementation of audit recommendations.
What Happened
- County received opioid settlement funds designated for addiction treatment/prevention
- Proposed newsletter program to distribute information on opioid resources
- PA Opioid Trust rejected the program as non-compliant with settlement terms
- County appealed to Commonwealth Court - case ongoing
- Questions about proper use of settlement funds intended for direct services
What Citizens Can Do
Monitor Commonwealth Court case outcome. Advocate for settlement funds to go directly to treatment and prevention services. Attend Council meetings when opioid fund expenditures are discussed.
Systemic Issues
- PA Constitution requires "uniform" property taxation
- 70% of counties haven't done full reassessment in decades
- Creates inequities - similar homes taxed differently
- Statewide lawsuit challenges the current system
- Reassessments are politically unpopular (creates winners and losers)
- Affects school district and municipal funding equity
What Citizens Can Do
Check your assessment at the county portal. File appeal if your assessment seems unfair compared to similar properties. Support calls for systematic reassessment. Contact state legislators about assessment reform.
Audit Findings
- Northampton Firemen's Relief: $47,832 in unverified equipment
- Hecktown VFC: Recurring inventory deficiencies across audit cycles
- Several other VFRAs with incomplete equipment records
- State funding (2% foreign fire insurance tax) requires proper documentation
- Non-compliance could jeopardize state relief funds
Statutory Reference
- 35 P.S. § 7416.1 - Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association Act
What Citizens Can Do
If you're a volunteer firefighter, ensure your company maintains proper records. Attend VFRA meetings. Support recruitment efforts for volunteer fire companies. Advocate for administrative support for record-keeping.
-$7.3M
Net Operating Loss
Financial Context
- Gracedale is one of few remaining county-owned nursing homes in PA
- Citizens voted in 2011 referendum to keep it county-owned
- Medicaid reimbursement rates don't cover actual care costs
- Staffing crisis (Issue #2) drives expensive agency staff usage
- County taxpayers subsidize operations through general fund transfer
- Represents significant portion of county budget
What Citizens Can Do
Attend budget hearings to understand Gracedale finances. Contact state legislators about Medicaid reimbursement rates. Support workforce development initiatives. Monitor quality metrics alongside financial performance.
Get Involved
Democracy works best when citizens are informed and engaged. Here are ways to take action:
Disclaimer: This page compiles information from official Controller audits, PA Auditor General reports, news sources, and public records. While we strive for accuracy, citizens should verify information and consult official sources. This is not an official government publication. Some issues are ongoing and status may have changed. Last verified: January 2026.
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