Real estate tax collections in 2011 exceeded 2010 in Schuylkill County it was reported by Treasurer Jacqueline McGovern to the county commissioners at their work session held Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville.

In 2011 real estate taxes totaled $27,224,513.48 compared to $26,053,386.47 in 2010. The average percentage collected by borough and township tax collectors was 91 percent, average exoneration was two percent, and average delinquent seven percent.The percentage collections turned in by townships in 2011 were as follows:Barry, 95; Blythe, 87; Branch, 92; Butler, 71; Cass, 95; Delano, 91; East Brunswick, 96; East Norwegian, 96; East Union, 85; Eldred, 00; Foster, 91; Frailey, 93; Hegins, 97; Hubley, 97; Kline, 93; Mahanoy, 89; New Castle, 97; North Manheim, 96; North Union, 92; Norwegian, 96; Pine Grove, 95; Porter, 94; Reilly,84; Rush, 96; Ryan, 83; Schuylkill, 91; South Manheim, 96; Tremont, 98; Union, 90; Upper Mahantongo, 97; Walker, 96; Washington, 95; Wayne, 96; West Brunswick, 96; West Mahanoy, 90 and West Penn, 95.The percentage collections turned in by boroughs were as follows:Ashland, 81; Auburn 95; Coaldale, 80; Cressona, 94; Deer Lake, 95; Frackville, 87; Gilberton, 70; Girardville, 77; Gordon, 88; Landingville, 99; Mahanoy City, 73; McAdoo, 90; Mechanicsville, 95; Middleport, 86; Minersville, 88; Mount Carbon, 76; New Philadelphia, 88; New Ringgold, 96; Orwigsburg, 96; Palo Alto, 89; Pine Grove, 94; Port Carbon, 90; Port Clinton, 92; Ringtown, 91; Saint Clair, 91; Schuylkill Haven, 91; Shenandoah, 81; Tamaqua, 87; Tower City, 91 and Tremont, 89. The City of Pottsville, 90.The collection of per capita tax, a tax on each adult, was lower in 2011 with $344,330 collected compared to $346,515 in 2010 and the reason was a drop in population.Tamaqua bridgeCounty Engineer Lisa Mahall reported to the board final payments have been made on repairs to county bridges in Tamaqua and Hubley Township.The repair the bridge which carries Greenwood Street, over Panther Valley Creek in Tamaqua, was $233,095.53 and to the bridge which carries Mill Road over Deep Creek in Hubley Township cost $240,548.19.Mahall reported additional funds of $215,000 are needed for maintenance repairs to the county bridge which carries Broad Street over the Schuylkill River in Schuylkill Haven, which will boost the cost to $715,000. The costs for repairs comes out of the county's liquid fuels tax fund.County Coroner David J. Moylan is requesting the county to enter into a lease agreement with Radiation Therapeutic Inc., New Philadelphia, for an coroner's office and storage space. The terms of the lease are $170 per months for this year and the lease allows for an additional year-to-year extension at $200 per month.Moylan also requested the storage facility in Donaldson, Tremont Township, be terminated and it is no longer required by the coroner.Personnel matterMartina Chwastiak, Human Resources Director, submitted a request from Rest Haven Home to have a new position established, first assistant director or nursing and the appointment of Karen Vandak, of Coaldale, to this position at a salary of $51,835 per year. Also, she requested the appointment of Joan Gaumer, Cumbola, to position of full time licensed practical nurse at $15.99 per hour. The commissioners and salary board will take action at the public meeting next week.After the meeting the three commissioners inspected a room formerly used as the office of chief maintenance which has been converted into a lawyer's consulting room. The room will be used by attorneys to meet with clients who appear at custody and domestic relations hearings. The consulting room is located in the basement next to the luncheonette.Atty. Sudhir R. Patel, president of the Schuylkill County Bar Association, and Attorney Joseph Troy were present to accept the quarters.