Luzerne County Courts

From: Chester B. Muroski, President Judge on behalf of all members of the 11th Judicial District of Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County

MEDIA RELEASE: February 11, 2009
As a result of a reduction in funding in the 2009 Luzerne County Budget, the Luzerne County Court en banc has determined that certain positions in the Luzerne County Court must be designated as unfunded. Accordingly, it will be necessary to furlough 25 staff members within the departments managed by the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. In addition, the Court has agreed not to fill 14 currently vacant positions.

Eleven (11) current probation officers have been notified of their furlough, while two (2) currently open probation officer positions and two (2) vacant management positions will not be filled. All remaining Court employees within other Court departments will be notified by tomorrow. Thereafter, all names and positions will be released.

These reductions will produce an annualized reduction of approximately $ 2.1 million in payroll costs within the 2009 Court budget.

These layoffs will be effective 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2009.

These non-disciplinary separations are in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed in the Luzerne County Personnel Policy and the Luzerne County Court Policy and Procedures Manual and existing collective bargaining agreements. It requires the Judiciary to separate employees when fiscal restraints require it to downsize the workforce to effectively meet funding limitations.

The Court is making these dramatic changes as a result of the fiscal crisis facing the county and every effort will be made to ensure that these cuts will not impact important judicial services.

Based upon the Personnel Policy, employees may be paid for unused vacation, sick and/or personal leave upon layoff. Although the separation is effective Thursday, February 12, they will be paid through February 27, in accordance with the provisions of the Personnel Policy.

On behalf of all members of the Court, we thank these employees for their service and wish them well in their future endeavors.

In addition to the foregoing separations, and also in accordance with the Luzerne County Personnel Policy and the Luzerne County Court Policy, the Probation Services Director and Fiscal Director in Probation were separated because it has been determined that their continued employment is not in the best interest of the Court system. Current Deputy Chief Michael Vecchio has been named acting Director of Probation Services pending the completion of the ongoing reorganization of all court operations.

Finally, the Court will be closely monitoring all court expenditures, to insure that the court stays within the 2009 budget which was passed by the County Commissioners. The Court will continue to work closely with the Commissioners to insure compliance with our mutual goal of fiscal responsibility.