Validated parking, modifying the budget process and creating an animal shelter advisory board.

These are just a few of Carbon County’s most notable accomplishments over the last year.

On Thursday, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich outlined his “top 10 notables” on what the county completed, and looked ahead at projects he hopes the county tackles in the next year.

Notable accomplishments in Lukasevich’s opinion include:

• Validated parking being rolled out for county business;

• Completing a proof of concept at Mauch Chunk Lake Park for a possible admission policy modification in the near future;

• Conducted and completed a salary study for county employee wages;

• Completed a broadband study;

• Approved a budget process modification to increase transparency for voters ahead of the general election;

• Created an animal shelter advisory board to help operate the shelter in a more efficient manner;

• Brought a referendum to a vote regarding an agricultural land open bond, which was overwhelmingly approved by 82.7 percent of those voting;

• Launched a new county website;

• Increased the mileage rate for reimbursement for county employees from 45 cents to 60 cents per mile;

• Held two successful elections from an administrative perspective;

• Invested in county leadership initiatives through Leadership Carbon, as well as the NaCo Leadership Academy. Five county employees recently graduated from the two programs.

Lukasevich also said that he reached out to the departments under the board of commissioners and asked for their top three accomplishments for the year in each department. That list will be published by early February.

“Once I have had an opportunity to meet with each of those reporting department heads, I’ll publish that top three list for the public to recognize the value and the hard work of county employees,” he said.

On looking ahead, Lukasevich said he had several priorities that will round out his fourth year in his first term as commissioner.

Things he plans on working on include finding ways to protect Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

“I’m passionate about protecting it. I’m passionate about the residents maximizing this crown jewel of Carbon County when it comes to opportunities for outdoor recreational opportunities.”

Of this, he hopes to change the admission policy for the lake, stop a development that is currently looking to install a septic system within the buffer of Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

“The Kanick property, development there cannot go forward,” Lukasevich said. “We got to stop it. If the borough of Jim Thorpe won’t take the right measures, this board of commissioners needs to step in and do the right thing and declare eminent domain and take that property at fair market value.”

Other initiatives moving forward include:

• Maximize the Carbon Transit system through LANTA;

• Create a proper work order system for county departments, especially maintenance;

• Work with HR and Lehigh Carbon Community College to possibly get a work climate survey completed.

• Push forward on helping the residents of 206 Center Ave. regarding the dilapidated house that adjoins their property, applying for funds through the whole home repair program funding.

• Bring Planning and Development back into a county-owned building from 410 Center Ave.

• Move forward on securing funds to start preserving farmland.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein added to the lists.

Broken down elevators and part delays were on Nothstein’s frustrations for the year; and phone system upgrades was an accomplishment.

He added for 2023, projects include completing 525 Iron St. in Lehighton for Children and Youth and shifting around departments, including Planning and Development, into 76 Susquehanna St.; and starting work on the courthouse renovation project.