Old Lycoming Township supervisors want to see police contribution calculation
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Old Lycoming Township supervisors said they are seeking "amicable resolutions" with the Lycoming Regional Police Commission on charter-versus-contract communities serviced by the Lycoming Regional Police Department.
There is a formula to determine the contributions of all charter members, and supervisors stated in a letter to the commission they do not believe a proposed 6.7% increase for the charter communities of Old Lycoming Township, Porter Township and Jersey Shore Borough, has any foundation or back up formula to support the increase imposed.
It was an issue the police commission, by consensus, believed would best be reviewed and discussed by the formation of a contract services committee, "a committee to look at it from all sides," said Sean Simcox, commission chairman.
Supervisors reiterated in the letter that all costs are to be apportioned on an equitable basis in accordance with determinations arrived at by the member governing bodies.
This formula, which is based on 50% of the population of the respective municipalities as indicated in the Census and 50% of the assessed real estate value of the respective municipalities, based on the county tax assessment office. Such assessed values will be updated annually.
The supervisors requested the charter agreement apportionment formula be honored and used to determine member contributions for the 2024 budget and for each year through the end of the signed contract.
"We are requesting to see the assessed property values report obtained from the tax assessment office for Old Lycoming Township, Porter Township and Jersey Shore Borough -- that the charter contract says will be done annually," Old Lycoming Township Supervisor and Chairman David Shirn, Supervisor and commission member Richard Metz wrote to the commission. Old Lycoming Township Supervisor Justin Kastner was carbon copied on the letter.
The last census was done in 2020.
Supervisors also are asking to see how the calculations are done -- as the charter agreement says 50% assessment and 50% population and show how once these two figures are in how the commission is coming up with a final budget number that is divided between the charter members and what equation is used?
Also in the letter, Old Lycoming Township supervisors said a shooting range in the township will no longer be available for the regional police to use as of Dec. 31 because the township canceled the liability insurance.
Moreover, the regional police department at 1951 Green Ave. must establish its own independent systems from the township including phone system, computer server and USPS account/postage meter by Jan. 1.
The township is researching alternative security systems to a specialist company.
It was advised there be a plan in place for the regional police department on this front as well with both camera surveillance and keyless door entry.