Monroe County opts out of Truck Stop slots

Monroe County Commissioners voted to opt out of permitting video gambling terminals in truck stops in the county.

In late October, in an effort to raise revenue without raising taxes, Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation that authorizes an expansion of permitted gaming in Pennsylvania.

Under the new law, the state will permit online gaming as well as video slot machines in airports and qualifying truck stops.

According to Monroe County Commissioners’ Chairman John Moyer, the county can opt out at this time.

Moyer said that by doing so now, the commissioners are not prohibiting commissioners who come later from granting approval.

“It is an easy decision to make now,” Moyer said. “We don’t currently have any truck stops in the county. Subsequent boards can change it if they wish.”

Budget adjustment

The commissioners also approved a $1.2 million budget adjustment for the month.

Of that, $900,000 was used for general reassessment charges. The balance of the adjustments were for end-of-year expenses and overtime for the prothonotary’s office, correctional facility and sheriff’s department.

Other business

• An agreement to provide fiduciary services for the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force was approved for a period of one year beginning in January 2018 in the amount of $9,000.

• Change orders were approved for Papillon Moyer Excavating and Paving increasing the 2016 bridge maintenance contract by $2,080 for additional courses of asphalt and sealing.

• A change order was approved for Spotts Brothers, Inc., reducing the contract by $1,576 for damage done to a carpet at 701 Main St.

• The commissioners also reaffirmed Martha A. Robbins as fair housing officer and section 504 compliance officer at the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Monroe.