Transparency or rather lack of it was a topic at the Wednesday Schuylkill commissioners’ meeting.

Resident Jeff Dunkel and Clerk of Courts Maria Casey questioned how the public is supposed to be totally informed when looking at the weekly agenda when some items are not explicitly stated.

“You’re allowing public comment on things. How can the public comment or question where the taxpayers’ money is going if there is no explanation?” he said.

Dunkel noted that Finance Director Paul Buber often explains items but the public is left in the dark when more information on budget adjustments or supplemental budget resolutions are not detailed before the meeting. Casey also asked about the lack of clarity for agenda items.

“The public has to know ahead of time. You cannot have an agenda where you do these supplemental budget adjustments,” Casey said.

She urged the commissioners to be more transparent.

“Put it down. You have an agenda item called budget adjustments. Make it in the budget adjustment agenda item,” she said.

Casey warned commissioners to be more forthcoming with the public.

“This is your last chance. Stop putting these in or we will go to the proper authorities,” she said.

Dunkel also inquired about the $69,620,417 preliminary budget the county voted on last week. Adoption for the final budget is slated for Dec. 15. After the meeting last week, Dunkel went to view the budget that was not immediately available.

“I was then forced to file a Right-to-Know request to obtain the budget which is 100 percent illegal according to the Open Records Office. It must be readily available after it is voted on,” he said.

He asked why the budget was being held. He claimed he was not the only one denied to see it. Dunkel also asked why the budget was not online.

“All the other counties surrounding us have it on there,” he said.

Commissioner Gary Hess asked why the budget was not viewable. County Administrator Gary Bender said it was.

“The documents were there for your perusal,” Bender said.

“No, they were not,” Dunkel said.

“Yes, they were,” Bender said.

Dunkel said he was given a three-page summary to review.

Chief Clerk Linda Deatrich told Dunkel to come back at the last meeting in the afternoon and they would have the budget ready.

“It was there that same day,” she said.

“Is there a possibility to put it online so the public can see something?” Hess asked Bender.

Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said, “It is being worked on.”