2 retiring commissioners reflect on changing the county

Gallagher was the minority commissioner for the four years Staudenmeier chaired the board, and she said she preferred being in control.

"In the majority, your wishes can come true," she said.

She said she and McAndrew brought a wish list of 10 items to the job when they took control and they were able to accomplish all 10.

"They were items we felt needed to be addressed," Gallagher said. "If we had chosen to run for re-election, I know I would have had another (list)."

"The 1912 Building was a liability. It was in deplorable condition," Gallagher said. The county's insurance carrier had advised selling the building due to its condition, she said.

Reducing the number of polling places to 125 from 167. Gallagher said that has saved, and will save, the county $79,750 per election, or $159,500 per year, by reducing the number of poll workers needed.

Resolving the New World computer system controversy, in which the county lost $569,000. The system was prone to crashing and never worked properly. Gallagher said. The matter was settled without having to go to trial.

Instituting the PPL Energy Savings Plan, which guarantees savings of $1 million over the next 15 years, according to Gallagher. Additional savings will be realized from upgrading lighting systems in several county buildings, she said.

Consolidating positions in county government. Gallagher said the commissioners eliminated 15 positions by attrition, saving almost $600,000 in salaries and benefits annually.

"We reduced county government significantly ... by attrition, without having to lay off employees," she said.

Creating the Schuylkill Transportation Authority to manage the Schuylkill Transportation System. Gallagher said the savings from the change will be invested in the system.

Improved monitoring of positions that are funded by grants. The commissioners are now notified when grants expire and can take appropriate action on the positions, she said.

Holding five board meetings per year outside the courthouse, which Gallagher saw as some of the highlights of her term.

"We had the opportunity to meet our citizens face to face," she said.

Restructuring county offices. Gallagher said restructuring the Public Defender's Office saved $29,000, while doing the same with the Tax Claim Bureau allowed for the launch of an aggressive effort to get properties back onto the tax rolls.

"When Gov. (Ed) Rendell came through with $500,000 for our Children & Youth building, which was something I'd been lobbying for," it was one of the highlights of the term, Gallagher said. The money will enable the agency to hire more caseworkers and improve services, she said.