State Finally Pays County 2010 DA Salary Share

The Potter County Commissioners this week received a payment from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of about $43,000, covering the final portion of the state’s long-overdue reimbursement of the District Attorney’s 2010 salary. The state still owes Potter County $106,341 for 2011, representing 65 percent of the DA salary of $163,602, and will owe $109,551 for 2012, for the current DA salary of $168,541.

Act 57 of 2005 obligates the state to pay 65 percent. Because the state has failed to pay its share, the county has been covering the entire salary, a situation that does not sit well with the Potter County Board of Commissioners. Other counties with full-time districts attorney face a similar shortfall. According to a spokesman for the Office of Attorney General, “The Criminal Justice Enhancement Account does not currently have enough funds to reimburse the full amount . . . As the funds continue to accumulate in the account, we will begin to make partial payments for 2011.”