Lycoming County Takes a Stand on Controversial Coroner’s Office Spending
Williamsport, PA – In an era where every penny counts, Lycoming County Commissioners took a critical stand during their weekly public meeting this morning against a proposed expenditure for office furniture that caught many by surprise.
Sticker Shock at the Coroner’s Office
At the heart of the debate was item 6.13 on the agenda: a $63,071.57 proposal for furnishing the new Lycoming County Coroner’s Office. Commissioner Sortman read aloud the costs, sparking eyebrows among attendees and fellow commissioners. The proposal included chairs priced at $523.63 each, additional conference room chairs at $425 each, side chairs at $378, and leather chairs soaring to $965 each. Even the conference table eyed for approval had a hefty tag of $2,177. The furniture costs were generated by Supply Source, a local county approved vendor.
Discussing these numbers, Commissioner Sortman questioned the necessity of purchasing a new conference table, suggesting instead the reuse of existing resources. Kate Keisling from the Coroner’s Office noted that these purchases were in line with approvals secured under prior county leadership and involved Supply Source, an authorized vendor.
The Commissioners’ Frugality
Reflecting on past decisions, the commissioners recalled denying similar purchase attempts, such as $500 chairs for judges. Commissioner Metzger highlighted their stance by pointing out his personal $180 chair, bought on sale. This gives a glimpse into the commission’s commitment to frugality and resourcefulness.
Taking a unanimous 3-0 vote, the commissioners agreed to table the furniture proposal, with hopes of revisiting and potentially trimming the costs in the upcoming week.
A Rising Cost and a Reflective Choice
Additional items on the agenda, specifically 6.15 through 6.17, suggested further financial requests, totaling more than $7k of IT costs for the Coroner’s Office. These growing expenses beg the question: could the Lundy Building in Newberry have been the more financially sound choice? It was a decision made by the former Commissioner Board that is falling under more scrutiny with the current Board of Commissioners.
With escalating costs and taxpayer dollars on the line, there’s a growing sentiment that the Coroner’s Office’s new build could be a bigger burden than expected or proposed. The commissioners’ prudent scrutinization suggests a pushback against an unsustainable trend of spending, echoing the community’s sentiment for accountability and mindful budgeting.
At Lycoming Ya Heard, we’re monitoring these developments closely, remaining vigilant for an outcome in which financial responsibility takes center stage. The focus now shifts to whether necessary fiscal reforms will steer spending away from lavish indulgences like $500 chairs. As Commissioner Metzger reminds us through his own thrifty practices, “No reason why we should be spending $500 on a chair.”, who uses a $99 chair in his own home office.
Ya Heard.
Lycoming County Commissioners Meeting 10-2-25:
Meeting agenda:
