STATE COLLEGE — Local government is the most accessible level of government. It makes communities strong and resilient through shared involvement. To understand the impact of local government, the League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) is providing a four-part series about local offices. This second installment focuses on county government offices that have county-wide elections for four-year terms. The LWVCC thanks Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins for his contributions to this article.
Pennsylvania counties’ class size is based on the population within the county.
Commissioner
This information is from The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania:
Each major political party nominates two individuals, and the electorate votes for two individuals. The top three vote-getters become the Board of Commissioners. This assures minority party representation. Commissioners are responsible for policy-making, fiscal management, administration of county affairs, serving on advisory boards and representing interests of the community with state and federal officials. Commissioners can regulate through ordinances, resolutions and laws regarding public health, parks, solid waste management, roads and highways, zoning and land use, county personnel policies and more. They approve the annual budget, balancing county needs with the ability to raise revenues, and pay for mandated state and federal programs. Commissioners shape the county’s future through long-range planning.
Information for the following offices is from centrecountypa.gov.
Controller
The Controller administers finances: accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and retiree benefits. Through internal and external auditing, this office ensures that the county is achieving honest, efficient management and full accountability. Financial and tax reports are provided to county departments to assist with budgetary management.
Sheriff
Sheriff is the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in the county. The Sheriff’s deputies: serve eviction, protection from abuse and custody orders; apprehend warranted persons; transport prisoners; enforce vehicle violations; issue firearms carry licenses; manage medication disposal boxes; provide security for county courthouse, buildings and airport; patrol rails-to-trails and Grange Fair; and assist with PSU home football games.
Treasurer
Treasurer receives and disburses monies including the Retirement Fund. This office distributes payroll checks to approximately 550 employees on a biweekly to weekly basis and 800 general expense checks monthly. Treasurer serves as hotel tax collector, sells hunting/fishing/dog and sports firearm licenses, invests with local banks and sells games and raffle licenses and permits, all of which generate revenue for the state and county.
Prothonotary
Prothonotary is responsible for records of the Courts of Common Pleas civil cases and for records from appellate courts in both civil and criminal cases. This office manages bail money; maintains approximately 6,000 civil cases and 2,500 criminal cases; processes 1,000 passport applications; and is responsible for naturalization of approximately 30 new citizens annually.
Recorder of Deeds
Recorder maintains legal documents pertaining to real estate, receiving real estate transfer taxes, disbursing annually over $5.6 million to 37 political subdivisions and six school districts, collecting and distributing fees for the Administrative Office of PA Courts, assisting in generating over $5 million in revenue for PA and approximately $850,000 for Centre County annually. Office maintains veterans military discharge documents.
Register of Wills
Register of Wills is responsible for probating wills and granting letters of administration when persons die with no will. Register maintains records of wills and estate inventories and collects state inheritance tax. Office maintains birth and death records through 1905; (after 1906, records are available from the PA Department of Health). Office issues marriage licenses, maintains guardianship papers for minors and incapacitated persons and maintains adoption papers.
Coroner
Coroner investigates the circumstance, manner and cause of deaths: suicide, accident, suspected homicide or natural death where no physician is in attendance. Office performs autopsies, collects specimens, analyzes results to determine the cause of death and completes the death certificate. Coroner determines if there is a public health threat from a communicable disease or through product liability and testifies in cases of criminal prosecution.
The next installments will focus on: municipal, borough and township offices and boards of school directors. The Municipal Election will be held on Nov. 7. Make sure your voter registration is current at centrecountyvotes.gov.
