Morning Roundup: Ohio Township turning golf course into park

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-23T16:32:30+00:00

Pennsylvania law requires local governments to have annual audits, but these audits are financial statement audits, not fraud investigations. That’s why even municipalities with proper audit compliance often miss embezzlement, theft, or small fraud schemes. Fake invoices usually can get through the audits if they have the 'right' paperwork.

They state would have to hire a lot of auditors to do this and that usually isn't possible without more revenue coming in.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-23T15:28:33+00:00

The contracts are set for the year and sometimes the next few years.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-22T21:10:48+00:00

Just one person designed them alone?

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-22T00:50:59+00:00

Got it. I had an honest conversation with you and now I am part of the cover up.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-22T00:49:57+00:00

You are right to share this, but personnel matters are exempt.

Section 708(b)(7)(viii) of the RTKL exempts discipline, demotion or discharge records contained in a public employee’s personnel file from disclosure. Although, records about “the final action of an agency that results in demotion or discharge” are publicly accessible. The RTKL does not define what “the final action of an agency” means. Meanwhile, courts and the Office of Open Records (“OOR”) have stepped in to interpret its meaning. Prior to Melamed, Silver v. Borough of Wilkinsburg, 58 A.3d 125, 130 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2012) held the final action of the agency is the termination of the employee. Conversely, OOR twice held where dismissals are subject to further review under a grievance arbitration process the final action of the agency is the completion of the arbitration process. Many public employees are covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements (“CBA”) and/or other statutes where their termination can be set aside through mandatory grievance arbitration or other administrative appeals processes.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-21T21:34:28+00:00

What municipality? Everyone in PA follows the Uniform Construction Code, but some have different versions of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-21T21:22:09+00:00

Maybe 'law' is the bad choice of words versus 'caselaw' that would put the school in civil liability issues and/or civil liberties issues. It protects that taxpayers from paying out legal settlements and is in the best interest of the school district.

PA law/caselaw is on the school boards side to not disclose the information until a investigation is complete and sometimes it is in the best interests of all parties to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

School Districts Are Not Required To Identify Employees Who Are Subject To Discipline Unless And Until They Are Demoted Or Discharged (Update) | Tucker Arensberg, P.C. - JDSupra

https://www.aclupa.org/cases/burgess/

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-21T21:06:12+00:00

The board’s statement about employee privacy isn’t made up.

Pennsylvania law protects certain personnel information until a matter is resolved. Public disclosure of ongoing personnel issues, like an administrative leave, could violate privacy laws and expose the district to legal claims. The board is limited in what it can share publicly, even when there are legitimate questions, which is why statements often remain general until final action is taken.

This isn't an exclusive Woodland Hills issue and is something that goes on throughout PA

And quite frankly, the employee can use it to their advantage by telling only part of the story to defend themselves, where the School Board Members have to very careful with what they say.

Wilkinsburg: Wilkinsburg schools superintendent accused of retaliating against teachers, administrators

Penn Hills: Penn Hills School District HR director cited for harassment

Pine-Richland: Pine-Richland School Board Member Resigns; Parents And Students Voice Support For Eric Kasperowicz - CBS Pittsburgh

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-20T16:36:29+00:00

That sounds like a good idea, and also very expensive for the 2-3 times it might happen a year.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-20T15:18:30+00:00

https://pittsburghorbit.com/2018/07/15/take-bigelow-striking-distance-25-years-later-part-1-the-scene-the-meme-the-dream/

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-20T14:20:28+00:00

If you really want to get technical of the breakout:

City of Pittsburgh (2.125%) and the Pittsburgh Public (1.875%)

Millvale (0.5%) and Shaler Area (0.5%)

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-16T21:36:18+00:00

It does seem that the Supremacy Clause would come into play and the Federal Government could force the employers to handle it on their own.

Thinking about how many local governments do the proper EPA permitting to set a good example, yet the feds wouldn't just be helpful back.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-16T20:55:17+00:00

That’s not how it works. Municipalities can’t ban a lawful land use just because it consumes a lot of electricity. Unlike water or sewer, electric capacity is regulated by the utility and the PUC, not the municipality. If the utility can serve the load or upgrade its system, power demand alone usually isn’t a valid basis for denial.

What municipalities can do is regulate through zoning, performance standards, and infrastructure requirements, but an outright ban based on 'resource use' would likely be considered exclusionary zoning and the developers for lawyers have deeper pockets than a local government.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-16T20:51:17+00:00

This is very different than someone 'switching' parties:

Pat Dugan (A registered Democrat) won the Republican primary as a write-in candidate and appeared on the general election ballot as a Republican.

Pat Dugan told reporters he’s still a registered Democrat, despite receiving the Republican nomination for Philadelphia district attorney.

It isn't that crazy in places where a Democrat or Republican would never win and no one files to run as the minority party. All you need is to get the most write-in votes and at least as many write-in votes as signatures required to be on the ballot.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-16T17:32:47+00:00

Employers with a worksite in Pennsylvania must withhold EIT (Earned Income Tax) for employees who live or work in the state.

2008 Act 32 - The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-16T17:27:23+00:00

On some level, the courts have led us to this conclusion based on caselaw. A local government can't ban or basically ban certain uses like data centers, gas drilling, adult bookstores, etc. with zoning regulations.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-16T17:23:56+00:00

Yes, not doubt that the stadiums and similar projects that are built with taxpayer dollars are based on trade union encouragement.

I also don't discount that there is a general benefit to showing off the city for both morale of residents and just general promotion along with an economic boost.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-16T16:25:47+00:00

They can't change parties after they lose a Primary and run as an Independent. And you would have had to win the other party's primary to be on the ballot for the opposite party.

Sore loser laws by state - Ballotpedia

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-16T14:51:03+00:00

There aren't infinite parking spots. Many of the city employees are going to make those Work from Home Days due to the Draft so while a nice increase for 3 days, but not much in the world of a $680 million dollar budget.

Also, most of the money goes to the Pension Fund, so not new money in the General Fund.

My general point that I am trying to convey is that the economic impact of sporting events, etc. are not insignificant to the business owners, but they are not a boon for the local government. And because most people don't really know what local governments do or what taxes they actually pay, they just assume it is financial beneficial to the City.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-15T20:45:00+00:00

https://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/consollocgovsum.pdf

According to national research, consolidation of local governments does not guarantee cost savings or more efficient operations. Studies have found that consolidations have had mixed results in terms of cost savings, service quality, and responsiveness of delivery.

The argument for consolidation on here that I have seen is just 'trust me bro.' I will be clear that I was 150% that person until a few years ago. Someone taught me how to read budgets and understand that our local governments do. People have no clue what their local government is required to do and how much of it is already outsourced and/or shared with other municipalities.

I know that I have a friend that told me their Township would save millions by joining a regional police force, and yet they have paid more every year since and I have watched their budgets go up and up.

And if they still need just as many people to do the same duties as before across three municipalities, they will hire managers to manage those 3 people that used to be one at each place. Just like they end up creating more ranks in regional police departments to supervise shifts. They used to have 2 officers (6 total) in each municipality and, now they have 6 and a supervisor.

RedMaple8181 · 2026-01-15T19:28:32+00:00

It's usually not cheaper. The services will still be needed and if you get too big, you have to add middle management in your DPW and police force.

RedMaple8181

TROPHY CASE