LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — The Lackawanna County commissioners are not sugarcoating the county's financial future, as the projected deficit could reach more than millions of dollars.
"I think today, I hope, was a dose of reality for everyone," said Commissioner Bill Gaughan.
They say this is simply step one in a long walk ahead of fixing major money issues.
"I hope this doesn't come as surprise to anyone because we've been saying this at nauseum for the past several months," he added.
The county's projected deficit could reach more than $27 million next year. In five years, it would nearly double, reaching $41 million.
So, what's to blame?
Soaring health care costs, overtime at the sheriff's department and the county prison, and raises to county employees. That's on top of unpaid bills and inflation.
"We're cooperating the best that we can. But at the same time we have a duty and responsibility to keep this processing center open 24/7. Along with the other duties and responsibilities I've inherited over the past four or five years," said Lackawanna County Sheriff Mark McAndrew.
On Thursday, a Philadelphia-based financial consulting firm, PFM Group, which the county hired to tell them the cold, hard truth, did just that.
"You just don't have the revenues to afford it. This is not a philosophical statement. This is a mathematical truth," said Gordon Mann of PFM Group.
The county says a tax increase seems almost inevitable to help offset these rising costs.
"These are recommendations. We are currently reviewing every aspect of county government to see where we can be more efficient and to really see where we can fix this reoccurring problem of the county just trying to survive," said Commissioner Matt McGloin.
How large of a tax increase would hit residents' wallets?
It's still up in the air.
"All our costs are going up, and if your revenues do not go up on an equal level, you're going to have a shortfall, and eventually, you're going to pay the price," said Joan Hodowanitz of Scranton.
This information will impact Lackawanna County's 2025 budget, which will be unveiled in the next few weeks.