RST: Challenges facing PA counties

What to look for on Radio Smart Talk, Thursday, September 19, 2013:

Pennsylvania’s 67 counties face many challenges and most of them are tied to funding.

For example, at a recent State of the Region event, Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste called 911 emergency dispatch service the number one priority for counties by far. To illustrate his point, Haste said Dauphin County spent about $600 on 911 service in 2007. Today, the county is spending closer to $3 million. How did that happen? Technology and a formula for funding hasn’t kept up. And Dauphin County is not alone — 911 is a major concern across the state.

It’s one of the issues we’ll discuss on Thursday’s Radio Smart Talk with Commissioner Haste and Douglas Hill, Executive Director of the County Commissioner Association of Pennsylvania.

Other areas that will be addressed are property taxes, property assessment reform, whether a new method to provide money to counties from the state is working, funding for human services, and infrastructure improvements.

With Pennsylvania’s many local governments and news from the state capitol, the needs of counties sometimes get that much attention.

Listen to the show:

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