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Current as of January 01, 2022 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
(a) Appointment.--No later than 30 days following a determination of municipal financial distress under section 203, 1 the secretary shall appoint a coordinator who shall prepare a plan addressing the municipality's financial problems.
(b) Qualifications.--The coordinator may be an employee of the department, furnished with additional staff or consultant assistance, if needed, or may be a consultant or consulting firm. No elected or appointed official or employee of the municipality shall be eligible for serving as coordinator. The coordinator shall be experienced in municipal administration and finance.
(c) Compensation.--The department shall be responsible for compensating the coordinator appointed by the secretary for reasonable salary and expenses. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the appointment of a plan coordinator shall not be subject to contractual competitive bidding procedures.
(d) Duties.--The coordinator shall:
(1) Present, at a public meeting within 45 days of the execution of the contract between the department and the coordinator, a list of the coordinator's preliminary findings, as to the financial condition of the municipality. The list of findings shall include, but is not limited to, a quantification of all operating deficits for the current fiscal year and a projection of revenues and operating expenses for the next three fiscal years, all outstanding debt obligations, the cost and term of all outstanding contracts and other relevant information.
(2) Solicit, not later than the date of the coordinator's presentation described in paragraph (1), comments in writing relating to the issues associated with the municipality's distress from such persons and entities who:
(i) have participated in the early intervention process;
(ii) have provided consultation on behalf of the municipality relating to the issues associated with its distress; or
(iii) are elected officials or employees of the municipality or labor organizations representing employees of the municipality.
(3) Consider all comments submitted within 30 days of the coordinator's presentation described in paragraph (1) before preparing and administering a plan designed to relieve the financial distress of the municipality which the coordinator has been appointed to serve.
(e) Powers.--The coordinator may:
(1) Apply for grants and loans pursuant to Chapter 3, 2 as the coordinator deems necessary.
(2) Investigate the tax-exempt status of any property within a distressed municipality and advise the governing body of the municipality to appeal the assessment or exempt status of property within the distressed municipality.
(3) Solicit and negotiate payments in lieu of taxes from institutions of public charity and other tax-exempt property owners in the municipality and recommend action by the municipality.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 53 P.S. Municipal and Quasi-Municipal Corporations § 11701.221. Designation - last updated January 01, 2022 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-53-ps-municipal-and-quasimunicipal-corporations/pa-st-sect-53-11701-221/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
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