Northumberland County's possible drop in classification from fifth to sixth class would be averted if legislation introduced by state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) is passed by the state House and Senate and signed by Gov. Tom Corbett.
The 2010 U.S. Census placed Northumberland County's population at 94,528, and according to current statute, the county could drop to sixth class because this is the second consecutive Census in which its population fell below 95,000.
Masser is prime sponsor of a bill that would change the lower population threshold for classification as a fifth-class county. According to the proposal, a county would be able to maintain a population of 90,000 to maintain its fifth class status, with the upper boundary remaining at 145,000.
Masser and Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108), who is one of 11 co-sponsors for the legislation, House Bill 1549, each said the legislation came about because Northumberland County commissioners expressed concern about the looming classification change. In fact, Culver said she and Masser were contacted by the commissioners shortly after the Census figures were released.
Masser's legislation would also help Lawrence County, located in western Pennsylvania, which, like Northumberland County, is a fifth class county whose population has dropped below 95,000 in two successive Censuses. Lawrence County officials also want to avert a classification change, and two House members who represent Lawrence County districts, Reps. Michele Brooks and Chris Sainato, are also among the bill's co-sponsors.
Officials in both counties are worried about potential negative ramifications arising from a "demotion" to sixth class status, although it's unclear just what the practical effects would be.
Culver said Northumberland County commissioners told her they are concerned the change could impact grants and funding streams. "Obviously, this is not a wealthy county," Culver said, "and we need to maintain as much access as we can to grant programs so we can best serve our citizens."
Brinda Penyak, deputy director of County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, doubts that a change in classification would, by itself, reduce a county's grant funds. However, she added that since some programs are based in part on population, if the population declines, grant allocations could indeed be reduced. That could still happen, she said, regardless of whether or not a change in county classification occurred.
Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler said his county is concerned that a change in county classification could result in the elimination of the elected county controller's position, although he is not sure whether that would be inevitable. Some sixth class counties do have an elected controller, he said, while others have an elected three-member board of auditors who serve part time.
"Even though we have lost population, Lawrence County still maintains an annual budget of $85 million," Vogler explained. "We believe strongly that we need to have an elected county controller and the staff that goes with the position. We want to do all we can to see that the position of controller is maintained."
Vogler admits that regardless of whether or not a change in class would result in any structural changes to county government, there is a level of prestige involved in being a fifth class, or medium-sized, county. If the change went into effect, Northumberland and Lawrence would actually be large for sixth class counties since the lowest population level for inclusion in that class is only 45,000.
The challenges facing a county with a population of 90,000-plus could be far different than one with a smaller (though sixth class) population.
For that reason, Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor, like the county commissioners, is concerned about a possible drop in classification, and he had the opportunity to express his views during a brief, impromptu conversation with Masser.
That conversation came when Masser and Saylor attended a meeting about child abuse prevention. Saylor explained the meeting was part of an occasional regional roundtable on children's issues, attended mostly by officials who happen to be from fifth class counties. The roundtables are beneficial, Saylor noted, because attendees from the respective counties have similar problems.
"If Northumberland County became a sixth class county, we would be the largest sixth class county in the state," Saylor said. "I don't think we would have as much in common with most other sixth class counties."
There is a precedent for Masser's bill. In 2001, the legislature, following the 2000 Census, adjusted the population requirements for third class county status.
House Bill 1549 was referred to the Local Government Committee of the House on May 18, but, as of now, no committee meetings have been scheduled.
Time is a factor. According to Penyak, any change in classification would automatically occur when Gov. Tom Corbett certifies the 2010 Census figures for Pennsylvania.
Vogler said that according to Section 211 of the County Code, Corbett would be required to notify the boards of commissioners of any recession in classification by Oct. 1.
Vogler said he will recommend to his fellow Lawrence County commissioners that they write to all members of the House Local Government Committee urging prompt action on Masser's bill.
"The bill is very critical, and we will do all we can (to promote its passage," Vogler remarked. "I am delighted that two of the three House members that represent Lawrence County are co-sponsors."
Volger added that he considers Masser an ideal choice to be prime sponsor of the bill. "For one thing, he is a former county commissioner, and he is also part of the Republican majority in the House."
Culver said she has heard that the state Senate may also consider its own legislation on amending the fifth class county requirements. That could expedite the process for final passage, she noted.
1900 90,911
1910 111,420
1920 122,079
1930 128,504
1940 126,887
1950 117,115
1960 104,138
1970 99,190
1980 100,381
1990 96,771
2000 94,556
2010 94,528
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau) Northumberland 94,528
Columbia 67,295
Montour 18,267
Schuylkill 148,289
Snyder 39,702
Union 44,847
Lackawanna 214,437
Luzerne 320,918