ENOLA, Pa. (WHTM) -
Should taxpayers foot the bill for part-time elected officials? A commissioner from one Cumberland County township says "no."
East Pennsboro Township Commissioner Wayne Melnick recently sent a letter to residents to outline what he calls a "fiscally irresponsible use of tax dollars." According to his letter, the township's five commissioners are eligible for free health care benefits, which costs taxpayers about $1,600 per month if a spouse and/or children are also enrolled.
Melnick said three of the commissioners and their families are currently enrolled, amounting to a total cost of approximately $50,000 per year.
"This is just common sense government," Melnick told abc27 News. "If somebody can offer a justification for why we should spend $50,000 on commissioner health care rather than on service to the residents, I'd like to hear it."
At a public meeting Wednesday night, Melnick asked his fellow commissioners to end their health care plans through the township immediately. He is also hoping the township solicitor will look into changing the law to prohibit part-time elected officials from receiving free benefits in the future.
Both motions were tabled until next month's meeting.
East Pennsboro's four other commissioners did not provide comment when abc27 News reached out to them on Monday.
