The Lycoming County commissioners unanimously approved a $241,229 increase to the employee contribution to the retirement fund for 2018 Thursday morning.

Commissioner Rick Mirabito made the motion, adding a clarification that the payment is not automatically made once the increase is approved.

“Such approval is putting it into the budget, and further authorization will be required by this board in order to disburse the funds,” he said.

The increase was determined by the state after the mortality tables were updated to reflect retirees living longer.

The estimated payments budgeted for the retirement fund for 2018 totaled $1,809,889, said Nicki Brelsford, deputy controller. With the new addition, the total county contribution to the fund should rest around $2,051,118.

Mirabito spoke of a woman he knows who lives on $800 a month.

“It keeps our seniors out of poverty,” he said, of the pension. “At 80 years old, should she have to worry about whether she can pay her water bill? I say no.”

Commissioner Tony Mussare agreed that seniors deserve the aid, but said the state’s pension system is the wrong way to go about it.

“We have $126 million into the fund, it’s very healthy. But is that real cash? No, it’s paper,” Mussare said. “In one week, that stock market could drop thousands … I don’t see relief for the taxpayers on having to always support this fund. We can’t continue to do this.”

If the county had the legal freedom to explore other options, the taxpayers could see a break from funding county pensions, said Commissioner Jack McKernan.

“This whole issue starts in Harrisburg,” McKernan said. “I mean, they’ve got to change the law. There’s nothing we can do.”

“Just to clarify, county retirees don’t have anything to be concerned about,” he said, with Brelsford adding the pension is about 96 percent funded.

In another matter, Jersey Shore resident Todd Lauer requested a special meeting to address excess public comment prior to the commissioners budget vote, expected to occur Dec. 13.

Lauer proceeded to ask about the prison, specifically its request for multiple new firearms in its 2019 budget. The requests include a tactical sniper rifle and four Glock 23 tactical handguns — of which the prison bought five new last year, Lauer claimed.

Weapons of the quality the county buys should last decades, he said.

“If each weapon is properly handled, maintained and cleaned after every use, there’s no reason whatsoever why these firearms should ever need replaced in the lifetime of the employee,” Lauer said. “I’m not choppin’ on you, I’m just bringing things to light.”

Mirabito thanked him for bringing forth his questions.

“No one else has come forward and put the energy into looking into details, so I thank you for that,” Mirabito said. “Some might disagree with you but, to me, the point moreso is, when people are looking at the details, it does bring to light some questions.”

The commissioners were unsure whether a special meeting prior to Dec. 13 would be possible.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved an ordinance updating tax-assisted zones, known as LERTA, in the City of Williamsport to spur economic development.

• Rejected a bid from McCormick Law Firm, the county’s contracted soliciting firm, as it was the sole bid to act as local counsel for potential opioid-related litigation. Rejecting the bid is “the ethical thing to do” before engaging with other firms, Mirabito said.

•Promoted Jordan C. Baker to full-time correctional counselor in the prison at $21.62 per hour, effective Sunday; appointed Jerrica D. Mull as a full-time replacement female correctional officer relief in the prison at $16.01 per hour, effective Monday; appointed Jon Higgins as an assistant public defender at $52,764.08 annually, effective Monday; appointed James L. Pfleegor II as a part-time replacement central processing officer in the district attorney’s office at $15.64 per hour, effective Dec. 16l and promoted Cameron J. Boyer to full-time maintenance/HVAC at $19.81 per hour, effective Sunday.

There will be a bid opening Tuesday with no actions taken. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in Executive Plaza.