At the Local Level

Projecting Enrollments in the Allentown School District
Controlling Real Estate Tax Collection Costs
Updating an Analysis of Merging Spring Township and West Lawn Borough
Projecting Enrollments in the York Suburban School District
Advancing the City of Scranton’s Financial Recovery Process
Projecting Enrollments in the Solanco School District
Developing a Five-Year Financial Management Plan for the City of Altoona
Updating Enrollment Projections in the Wilson School District
Implementing a Recovery Plan for the Borough of West Hazleton
Updating Enrollment Projections in the Muhlenberg School District
Analyzing County and Municipal Real Estate Tax Rates and Levies
Projecting Enrollments in the Northeastern School District
Analyzing School Real Estate Tax Levies
Projecting Enrollments in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District
Issuing Newsletters on Timely Topics Involving Government
Projecting Enrollments in the Upper Perkiomen School District
Addressing Key Public Policy Issues with PEL Members
Updating Enrollment Projections in the Stroudsburg Area School District
Providing Direction for PEL at the Local Level
Updating Enrollment Projections in the Spring-Ford School District
Providing Direction of PEL at the Divisional Level
Updating Enrollment Projections in the Great Valley School District
Meeting as a Statewide PEL Staff
Updating Enrollment Projections in the Avon Grove School District
Providing Statewide Direction for PEL
Providing Technical Assistance and Information

Projecting Enrollments in the Allentown School District – During the third quarter work intensified on PEL’s comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Lehigh County district. PEL’s study, which will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years, should prove to be of great value to board members, school administrators, and the public in responding to changing enrollment patterns and in making any appropriate adjustments in physical plant, staffing, and operations. A draft report will be transmitted to the district in the fourth quarter.

Controlling Real Estate Tax Collection Costs - PEL’s series of reports addressing real estate tax collection costs in 12 central and eastern Pennsylvania counties and their boroughs, townships, and school districts is nearing completion. Given that local taxing jurisdictions have a once-in-four-years opportunity to adjust the methods and rates of compensation of their elected tax collectors, PEL is preparing to provide the information necessary to help reduce tax collection costs and will outline the steps that should be taken in each jurisdiction to achieve reductions. PEL’s reports will be released early in the fourth quarter, and local officials will have until February 15, 2005, to make the best of this opportunity. In similar reports in the past, PEL’s recommendations on how to cut the costs of collecting real estate taxes resulted in substantial continuing annual cost reductions, as well as unspecified savings in future cost avoidance.

Updating an Analysis of Merging Spring Township and West Lawn Borough – Elected officials and the general public in Spring Township and West Lawn Borough (Berks County) continue to rely on PEL’s December 2003 analysis of the fiscal impact of a possible merger to guide discussions relative to the question merging the two municipalities which will appear on the November 2004 ballot. PEL analyzed and combined the 2003 budgets of the two jurisdictions for all funds and determined the resulting revenues, expenditures, and tax and major fee burdens for the merged municipality based on potential revenue changes and expenditure increases/reductions due to changes in staffing, service levels, efficiencies, and/or economies of scale resulting from or made possible by the merger. The analysis, which PEL will summarize at a Town Meeting early in October, was designed to provide government officials and citizens with comprehensive and impartial factual data so that they could make an informed decision as to whether a merger will be financially beneficial. The project was funded by the Berks County Municipal Merger Assistance Program.

Projecting Enrollments in the York Suburban School District – As the third quarter ended PEL’s comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this York County district neared completion. PEL is projecting districtwide enrollments over the next ten years and providing estimates by elementary attendance areas covering the next five years. The product of this effort will serve as a guide for school officials and the public in addressing classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft will be transmitted to the district early in the fourth quarter.

Advancing the City of Scranton’s Financial Recovery Process – PEL continues in its role as state-appointed coordinator for Scranton’s financial recovery process which is designed to eliminate the mismatch between the City’s basic revenues and expenditures and prevent deficits from recurring. The City’s current Recovery Plan focused heavily on labor cost controls and led to new contracts with the public works and clerical unions. Act 111 binding arbitration is underway with the City’s police and fire unions. PEL believes that if the Plan is fully implemented, the sizable and growing projected future deficits can be avoided.

Projecting Enrollments in the Solanco School District – During the third quarter PEL initiated a comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Lancaster County district. The report, which will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years, should prove to be of great value to board members, school administrators, and the public in responding to changing enrollment patterns and in making any appropriate adjustments in physical plant, staffing, and operations. A draft report will be transmitted to the district early in the first quarter of 2005.

Developing a Five-Year Financial Management Plan for the City of Altoona – PEL continues to work with Altoona’s Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and key City staff to develop a five-year financial management plan in keeping with the intervention strategy developed by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services. To date, emphasis has been on the City’s present and projected year-end financial condition and an emergency plan for the current fiscal year, as well as longer-term financial projections. Concurrently, PEL has undertaken an operational/management analysis of major City departments. The project is scheduled for completion by year-end.

Updating Enrollment Projections in the Wilson School District – PEL recently initiated a comprehensive update of its earlier analyses of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Berks County district. The report, which will provide projections of districtwide enrollments by grade over the next ten years along with estimates of enrollments by elementary buildings covering the next five years, should prove to be of great value to school administrators, board members, and the public in appraising the degree and duration of any changes in enrollment patterns and in preparing to make any required adjustments in physical plant, staffing, and operations in the most cost-effective way. The report is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter.

Implementing a Recovery Plan for the Borough of West Hazleton – PEL continues in its role as state-appointed Recovery Plan Coordinator for the Borough of West Hazleton (Luzerne County). In keeping with the provisions of the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, PEL developed a Recovery Plan designed to balance future Borough budgets. Upon the Plan’s adoption by Borough Council late in 2003, PEL’s initial emphasis was on meeting all pre-2003 financial obligations using the proceeds from an emergency $800,000 state loan; getting current on 2003 payables and staying current on 2004 obligations; closing out the 2002 audit; initiating the 2003 audit; applying for several Act 47 Grants; converting the emergency loan to a ten-year interest free loan; completing the purchase of streetlights; refinancing the Borough’s debt; and initiating exploration of cooperative ventures-particularly in the area of police services. Ongoing emphasis continues on several of these issues, as well as on improving the Borough’s accounting system and its financial reporting. The Borough will remain a “distressed municipality” until-in the judgment of the Commonwealth-the conditions which led to the determination of municipal financial distress are no longer present.

Updating Enrollment Projections in the Muhlenberg School District - During the third quarter work continued on PEL’s comprehensive update of its earlier analyses of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Berks County district. The report, which will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years, will serve as a guide for school officials and the public in addressing classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft will be transmitted to the district during the fourth quarter.

Analyzing County and Municipal Real Estate Tax Rates and Levies – Work continues on PEL’s annual analyses of county and municipal tax levies, tax rates, and property assessments in central and eastern Pennsylvania. This series of reports will identify changes from 2003 to 2004 and during the past five years in tax levies, millage rates, and property valuations with a view to reminding public officials that someone is keeping score on tax increases. The 12 counties being studied are Berks, Blair, Cambria, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Northampton, and York.

Projecting Enrollments in the Northeastern School District – During the third quarter PEL initiated a comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this York County district. PEL will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years and provide estimates by elementary attendance areas covering the next five years. The product of this effort will serve as a guide for school officials and the public in addressing classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft will be transmitted to the district during the fourth quarter.

Analyzing School Real Estate Tax Levies - Early in the third quarter PEL initiated its annual analyses of school real estate tax levies, tax rates, and property assessments in 12 central and eastern Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Blair, Cambria, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Northampton, and York). The reports will identify changes in school district tax levies, millage rates, and assessments since 1999 and since last year with a view to reminding officials that someone is keeping score on tax increases.

Projecting Enrollments in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District – Projecting Enrollments in the Allentown School District – During the third quarter work intensified on PEL’s comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Lehigh County district. PEL’s study, which will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years, should prove to be of great value to board members, school administrators, and the public in responding to changing enrollment patterns and in making any appropriate adjustments in physical plant, staffing, and operations. A draft report will be transmitted to the district in the fourth quarter.

Controlling Real Estate Tax Collection Costs – PEL’s series of reports addressing real estate tax collection costs in 12 central and eastern Pennsylvania counties and their boroughs, townships, and school districts is nearing completion. Given that local taxing jurisdictions have a once-in-four-years opportunity to adjust the methods and rates of compensation of their elected tax collectors, PEL is preparing to provide the information necessary to help reduce tax collection costs and will outline the steps that should be taken in each jurisdiction to achieve reductions. PEL’s reports will be released early in the fourth quarter, and local officials will have until February 15, 2005, to make the best of this opportunity. In similar reports in the past, PEL’s recommendations on how to cut the costs of collecting real estate taxes resulted in substantial continuing annual cost reductions, as well as unspecified savings in future cost avoidance.

Updating Enrollment Projections in the Muhlenberg School District – During the third quarter work continued on PEL’s comprehensive update of its earlier analyses of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Berks County district. The report, which will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years, will serve as a guide for school officials and the public in addressing classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft will be transmitted to the district during the fourth quarter.

Projecting Enrollments in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District – Late in the third quarter PEL initiated a comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Lebanon County district. The study, which will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years, along with estimates of enrollments by elementary buildings covering the next five years, and should put board members, school administrators, and the public in a better position to respond to changing enrollment patterns and make any appropriate adjustments in physical plant, staffing, and operations. A draft will be transmitted to the district early in the first quarter of 2005.

Issuing Newsletters on Timely Topics Involving Government – Recent editions of PEL’s regular newsletter, News and Views, focused on continuing real estate tax assessment inequities in most Pennsylvania counties and also provided a reminder to counties, municipalities, and school districts that they had a once-in-four-years opportunity to achieve savings in their real estate tax collection costs. News and Views addresses timely issues and developments involving state and local government in order to keep our members and the public better informed and to serve as a catalyst for improvements in governmental operations.

Projecting Enrollments in the Upper Perkiomen School District – As the third quarter ended PEL’s comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Montgomery County district neared completion. The report will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years and will serve as a guide for school officials and the public in addressing classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft is expected to be transmitted to the district early in the fourth quarter.

Addressing Key Public Policy Issues with PEL Members – PEL members, public officials, and other community leaders met in Berks County early in the third quarter to discuss the Initiative for a Competitive Greater Reading (ICGR) which is a joint public/private effort designed to help shape a competitive strategy for the Reading/Berks County Region. A panel consisting of John Dever, President of Bill’s Khakis, and Jerry Johnson, President of the Berks County Conservancy, who are the co-chairs of the project’s Strategy Board; Kevin Murphy, President of the Berks County Community Foundation, which is the prime contractor for the project; and Warren Haggerty, Executive Director of the project described the challenges faced by the community, the mechanics of the ongoing process, and how it relates to other initiatives, and the expected outcomes. During the fourth quarter PEL will hold Issues Forums in Berks, Lancaster, and York counties, the Central Penn Area, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and the Lycoming/Clinton Region to address key issues of local, regional, or statewide importance.

Updating Enrollment Projections in the Stroudsburg Area School District – PEL’s comprehensive update of its prior analyses of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Monroe County district is nearing completion. The project will generate projections of districtwide enrollments over the next ten years and provide estimates by elementary attendance areas covering the next five years. The study is designed to provide a base of reliable data for use by district administrators, board members, and the public in making decisions regarding the district’s future classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft will be transmitted to the district early in the fourth quarter.

Providing Direction for PEL at the Local Level – PEL’s local operating committees in Berks, Lancaster, and York counties, the Harrisburg Area, the Central Penn Area, and the Lycoming/Clinton Region met during the third quarter to aid in establishing objectives for PEL activities and in identifying and evaluating problems confronting government in their areas. Committees in the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania will meet early in the fourth quarter. The committees are comprised of representatives of businesses, associations, and institutions which support the efforts of PEL.

Updating Enrollment Projections in the Spring-Ford School District – PEL recently initiated a comprehensive update of its earlier analyses of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Montgomery County district. The report, which will provide projections of districtwide enrollments by grade over the next ten years, should prove to be of great value to school administrators, board members, and the public in appraising the degree and duration of any changes in enrollment patterns and in preparing to make any required adjustments in physical plant, staffing, and operations in the most cost-effective way. The report is scheduled for completion early in the first quarter of 2005.

Providing Direction of PEL at the Divisional Level – During the third quarter PEL’s leadership at the divisional level met to provide guidance and direction for PEL’s program. The Central Division’s Board of Governors, which is comprised of representatives from each of the principal geographic areas of the Division, met in July in Bethlehem to review the status of the Division’s research program, address other matters related to the operation of the division, and discuss a variety of timely continuing and emerging statewide and local issues of concern to corporate and individual taxpayers. The Board also reviewed the Central Division’s overall membership and financial status and received and accepted the Division’s 2003 audit. The luncheon and golf outing which followed the meeting were sponsored by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Updating Enrollment Projections in the Great Valley School District – During the third quarter PEL initiated a comprehensive update of its earlier analyses of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Chester County district. The report, which will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years, and will serve as a guide for school officials and the public in addressing classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft will be transmitted to the district early in the first quarter of 2005.

Meeting as a Statewide PEL Staff – Early in the third quarter PEL’s statewide staff gathered for three days of planning and issues-oriented discussions in Philadelphia. The session focused on issues relating to public policy research and development; retaining educated young people and building university communities; city-to-city benchmarking; innovative practices in business-led civic organizations; fiscal realities in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania’s smaller cities; and the future of PEL’s IssuesPA project.

Updating Enrollment Projections in the Avon Grove School District – Late in the first quarter PEL initiated a comprehensive update of its prior analyses of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Chester County district. The project will generate projections of districtwide enrollments over the next ten years. The study is designed to provide a base of reliable data for use by district administrators, board members, and the public in making decisions regarding the district’s future classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft will be transmitted to the district during the fourth quarter.

Providing Statewide Direction for PEL – PEL’s leadership at the state level met in Philadelphia in July in conjunction with PEL’s statewide staff conference. The Board, which is comprised of 15 individuals who are elected by the boards of governors of PEL’s three geographic divisions, establishes policies, priorities, and programs for carrying out PEL’s mission, provides guidance and direction for PEL’s statewide research agenda, and has responsibility for the conduct, management, and the direction of the business of PEL. It also provides oversight and direction to PEL’s State Office in Harrisburg which implements the statewide policies and objectives established by the Board.

Providing Technical Assistance and Information – During the past quarter PEL furnished information, technical assistance, and/or advice on a wide range of issues to PEL members, government officials, public agencies, media representatives, and citizens’ groups.

Late in the third quarter PEL initiated a comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Lebanon County district. The study, which will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years, along with estimates of enrollments by elementary buildings covering the next five years, and should put board members, school administrators, and the public in a better position to respond to changing enrollment patterns and make any appropriate adjustments in physical plant, staffing, and operations. A draft will be transmitted to the district early in the first quarter of 2005.

Projecting Enrollments in the Upper Perkiomen School District - As the third quarter ended PEL’s comprehensive analysis of enrollment trends, demographics, and community growth patterns in this Montgomery County district neared completion. The report will project districtwide enrollments over the next ten years and will serve as a guide for school officials and the public in addressing classroom, program, and staffing needs. A draft is expected to be transmitted to the district early in the fourth quarter.