BY STACI WILSON

The total millage for county taxpayers will hold steady in 2012 but property owners will see a slight decrease in their total tax bills due to the payoff in 2011 of county debt.

The commissioners adopted its 2012 budget of $20,068,561 at the Dec. 28 meeting. Total millage is 10.83, the same as it was in 2011.

But with the county debt service now paid off, the 1.01 mills assessed for the debt service in prior years has been shaved off the total tax bill.

Commissioner Chair MaryAnn Warren and Commissioner Michael Giangrieco approved the budget. Commissioner Leon Allen, was not in attendance at what would have been his final meeting of his term.

Although the tax rate held steady, the commissioners were questioned about the budget process.

ForestLakeTwp.resident Edna Paskoff said the budget had never been discussed in front of the public at a commissioners’ meeting.

She said the public should be involved in the budget process.

Giangrieco said that the proposed budget was made available for review and comment at the front desk of the chief clerk’s office.

Another meeting attendee askedWarrenwhat she felt the greatest accomplishment of her administration had been.

Warrenanswered that there was a good working relationship between the three commissioners and county taxes were reduced.

Harry Phillips of Clifford Twp. was appointed to serve a four-year term on the Planning Commission. Phillips replaces Larry Wilson who did not seek reappointment.

Nancy Harvatine, Thompson, andTed Place,Auburn, were reappointed to four-year terms on the Planning Commission.

The commissioners signed a one-year agreement with Penn State Cooperative Extension for an educator for the dairy/agriculture program in the county. Salary and benefits for the position total $55,044, with the county portion being $25,352 of the amount.

The Salary Board also convened and voted to eliminate the county employee position of Domestic Relations Solicitor, effective Dec. 31, 2011.

Warrensaid an independent contractor will be appointed by the judge to handle the domestic relations cases.

The Deputy Coroner/Secretary position was also eliminated in the county coroner’s office, effective end of business, Dec. 31, 2011.

The board also voted to adopt the revised 2012 Miscellaneous Compensation Schedule.

Revisions were made to better define retainers and payments for the solicitors of various county offices.