Donora weighing state’s early-intervention program
Donora officials listen to a presentation about the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Early Intervention Program during a special meeting of borough council on Tuesday.
Michael Forman of the state Department of Community and Economic Development gives a presentation to Donora council about the agency’s Early Intervention Program.
Donora is eyeing a state program designed to help financially struggling municipal governments improve their fiscal position as the Mon Valley borough wrestles with a budget deficit.
Borough council heard a presentation Tuesday by Michael Forman of the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The special meeting was called to discuss the agency’s Early Intervention Program, which is designed to be “a pre-emptive step for municipalities who feel as if their financial situation, while not yet formally declared distressed, are realizing difficulties and seek to improve their financial position,” according to the program’s guidelines.
“We’re looking at a shortfall this year, a budget shortfall, and we thought it would be prudent to start looking,” borough administrator John Bedner said. He said the deficit is at about $100,000.
The borough’s budget this year is about $2.2 million.
The Early Intervention Program offers grants to municipalities to help hire financial consultants who develop three- to five-year financial plans and review management.
“The benefit of it is it gives you an outsider perspective of individuals that have expertise in these various aspects of local government that give you suggested advisory recommendations,” Forman said. “And you would also be involved in providing input and feedback in the plan development period.”
Donora is far from the first in the area to seek the outside help with its financial struggles.
Across the river in Westmoreland County, Monessen approved the program in 2016. More recently, DCED approved a grant to fund the salary and benefits of a newly hired administrator for that city as “seed money to get the position up and running and institutionalized so they can pick up the full freight starting in the third year,” Forman said.
North Franklin Township appointed a consultant through the program in 2013.
Washington has “been in the program for several years. We gave them a grant to look at stormwater management,” Forman said.
Bedner said council will likely consider a resolution to approve the program at its regular meeting Thursday.
At least one member seemed sold on the idea.
“There’s no question we qualify,” said Councilwoman Marie Trozzo after the meeting.
“I think this thing is an opportunity and we ought to take advantage,” she added.