UBCC Legislative Series - State of the County

BY MELINDA RIZZO

Did you know Bucks County will spend about $432.64 million this year to run the county and provide services to residents and businesses?

In the first of three annual legislative breakfast meetings held at McCoole’s Arts and Events Place in Quakertown business, municipal and non-profit leaders gathered for the annual Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce series kick-off.

Reducing budget deficits while maximizing resources and providing public health and welfare resources to those in the greatest need praising volunteerism were among the topics at the “State of the County” address lead by Bucks County Commissioners March 29.

Commissioner Rob Loughery provided the budget big picture and said no county tax increase would be levied to make up a $1.23 million shortfall.

Money from the fund balance would offset the revenue difference, Loughery said.

“People don’t realize how big it is - it’s a big budget, nearly half a billion dollars,” he said.

Volunteerism is alive and well across Bucks County, with county employees offering their off time hours to help others.

“Government employees often get a bad rap, but our employees do extra things,” Ellis Marseglia said.

She said Bucks County Deputy Sheriff Gary Bruno started a small Uber revolution during winter storms, by offering free rides to AA and other substance use disorder support groups.

Bruno is a part-time Uber driver. A single free ride – offered by Bruno to a man struggling to get to a support meeting because of the weather –  spread like wildfire when Bruno encourage other Uber drivers to do the same.

A network of community drivers stepped up to help.

Ellis Marseglia noted the efforts or another employee who makes sure those with special needs have display space for their art as well as one who offers kindly residents at Neshaminy Manor in Warrington.

And a drug and alcohol treatment program at Bucks County Prison has become a model for other facilities helping substance use disorder inmates receive recovery treatment.

“I get letters from people who have said they got better treatment here [in prison] than they did in rehab,” Ellis Marseglia said.
The program offers an intense recovery environment for about 52 men and 25 women at a time.

Commissioner Charles H. “Charley” Martin reflected at the county’s change during his past 24 years of service. Martin will not seek re election.

A few notable milestones:

• 1995/2019 Bucks County’s population was about 573,000. Today that number tops about 630,000.
• 1996 - Construction of the Bucks County Youth Center in Doylestown Township.
• During Martin’s tenure, Bucks County Community College opened a Bristol Lower Bucks Campus and a Perkasie Upper Bucks Campus.
• Rails to Trails Network connections request for proposals are expected to release this summer for linking connections to the Lehigh Valley in Richland Township and Quakertown.

 “We’ve done work on bridges, including the recently reopened Walnut Street Bridge in Perkasie, and we’ve preserved one-fifth of the county in open space – or about 220 farms and 17,000 acres,” Martin said.

Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce appreciates our Bucks County Commissioners taking time to address our members and spending quality time in Upper Bucks with us!

The next legislative event in the series, “State of the State,” will be held April 12th at McCoole’s Arts and Events Place in Quakertown. UBCC will be hosting Senator Bob Mensch (R-24), Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Craig Staats (R-145). Please visit www.ubcc.org/events to register.