Monday, March 18, 2013
The 2,275 affected workers had dealt with an extended pay freeze.
After riding out an extended pay freeze, some 2,275 non-union Chester County employees will get a 2 percent effective in April, The Mercury is reporting. According to the paper, Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello praised the workers for their hard work and patience during what was a difficult economic time. “We are grateful for the services that our employees provide to the county taxpayers,” Costello said. In a joint email, the other commissioners echoed Costello’s sentiment. “Your diligent efforts, coupled with out review of the final revenues and expenses of 2012 made this an easy decision,” the commissioners explained. The employees were notified of the decision on March 6. Read the full story here.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
A basic continuity plan to deal with events like widespread power outages and floods was approved by the county commissioners, and a detailed plan should be ready by the end of the year.
Editor's note: The following is a press release from Chester County. Chester County Commissioners approve Continuity of Operations plan Essential services must be provided during emergencies WEST CHESTER—The Chester County Commissioners have approved a base plan that will ensure essential services will be provided to citizens during emergencies. The Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan details steps to be taken during such emergencies as widespread utility outages, fires, floods, severe weather incidents and wide-spread sickness. Approval of the base plan provides guidance in organizing efforts, assigning responsibilities and establishing a multi-year strategy including training, exercises and periodic plan reviews. Commissioner Chairman…
Friday, January 25, 2013
Chester County Commissioners authorize staff to work on contract details with Harris Corporation.
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Friday, January 25
The following is a press release from the Chester County Commissioners. The Chester County Commissioners today authorized staff to work out final details of a contract with Harris Corporation for $27.4 million to replace the County’s emergency radio system, and $14.7 million for maintenance of the system for an additional eight years following installation. Chester County operates an emergency voice radio system that provides emergency voice communication for the County’s law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) responders. The current system was installed in the early 1990s and the technology is becoming obsolete and the equipment is in need of replacement. “Every day, our current emergency radio communication …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The budget calls for a five percent increase in real estate taxes.
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Thursday, December 13, 2012
Editor's note: The following information comes from the Chester County Communications Office. A few small errors were corrected from the original version. The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2013 budget today. The budget calls for $424,086,751 in operating expenses and $95,885,073 for its capital budget. “The County has not raised taxes since 2009 and we’ve worked hard to keep taxes as low as possible this year for taxpayers,” said Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell. “We faced the challenges of decreasing revenues and increased funding needed for emergency services, to finalize a budget that delivers the necessary services to our residents at a fair cost.” The budget calls for a five percent increase in county real …
Monday, December 10, 2012
The commissioners did not vote to allow a "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" display on county property.
In case you missed it: At the Nov. 29 meeting of the Chester County Commissioners, representatives of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster were told that they could not erect a holiday display outside the county courthouse. Thornbury resident Tracy McPherson spoke on behalf of what she estimated to be about 100 local "Pastafarians" who wished to erect a display on county property alongside the menorah and nativity scene already there. Though the Pastafarian religion is widely viewed as satire created in response to the teaching of creationism in schools, McPherson did not indicate she shared that view. She maintained a serious demeanor, quoting scripture and expressing sincere reverence to her deity and "his noodly appendages." She …
Friday, September 7, 2012
Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone had a few seconds of screen time while attending the Democratic National Convention.
Chester County viewers of President Barack Obama's Thursday night speech at the Democratic National Convention might have noticed a familiar face. During PBS NewsHour's coverage of the speech, Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone as well as former West Chester Borough Council President Bill Scott were featured in one of the crowd reaction shots. See the video on the program's Youtube account or skip to 35:14 in the embedded video above.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Chester County receives the outstanding performance award from the National Association of Counties.
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The following is a press release from Chester County. The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently named Chester County as a winner of the 2012 NACo Prescription Discount Card Outstanding Performance Award. “Chester County implemented the Prescription Discount Card Program in December 2008, and since that time our residents have saved more than $415,000,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell. “We are pleased to see so many residents take advantage of this free program, achieving significant savings on their prescription medications simply by presenting the Chester County/NACo discount card. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no limit on the number of times the card can be used. It even works with…
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell is elected chairman of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
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Thursday, August 9, 2012
The following is a press release from Chester County. Terence Farrell, Chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, has been elected Chairman of the prestigious Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). “The DVRPC is an outstanding regional organization that plays a vital role in the future of Chester County and our neighboring counties throughout the Delaware Valley region,” said Terence Farrell. “As Chairman, I’m looking forward to working with the Commission and other Delaware Valley leaders to further a regional focus that will benefit us all, including the implementation of the Connections plan for a sustainable future that addresses transportation alternatives, the increase in commercial and residential choices, a …
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Chester County maintains its AAA bond rating.
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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The following is a press release from Chester County. The Chester County Commissioners have announced the reaffirmation of Triple A bond ratings from Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings and an Aaa rating from Moody’s Investors Service. “This is great news for Chester County,” Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell said. “By retaining our AAA ratings from the three top bond rating agencies, our school districts and municipal governments will also benefit. The reaffirmed approvals keep Chester County in a select group of counties in the nation that have been awarded AAA ratings.” News of the reaffirmed ratings comes at a time when the County is issuing general obligation bonds, the primary purpose of which is to borrow funds for capital projects …
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The $5.20 per capita fee to fund emergency services is off the table, according to a report in the Unionville TImes.
According to an article in the Unionville Times, the Chester County Commissioners will not pursue a plan to pass emergency-services costs down to individual municipalities. The commissioners had proposed an idea in June to charge the county's 73 municipalities $5.20 per resident to cover the costs of a new training facility and 9-1-1 system. For East Whiteland Township, with 10,650 residents, the bill would have come to $55,380. Municipal officials wrote letters and showed up to the commissioners' June meeting to oppose the idea. According to the Unionville Times, the commissioners reversed course in a letter sent out to municipalities: ["T]he Chester County Commissioners have reviewed the proposed method of the municipality cost recovery…
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