Area municipalities will get share of funds

Municipalities in Carbon, Monroe, Schuylkill, Lehigh and Northampton counties will share in a portion of $316.5 million that has been released by the state for municipal pension and volunteer firefighter relief association funds.Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said the release of $316.58 million in funds will help emergency service efforts and the retirements of those who dedicated their career to public service."This money is critical to help our emergency service volunteers be prepared to protect our communities," DePasquale said. "The money will be used to purchase life-saving equipment and provide the necessary training and insurance for thousands of volunteer firefighters and emergency service providers."The funding helps fire and rescue crews be able to focus on performing their dedicated, often heroic, duties."Across the state, 1,915 volunteer firefighter relief associations in 66 counties will receive $65.94 million.Another $250.64 million will go to 1,478 local government pension plans for police, paid firefighters and municipal workers."This pension assistance is critical to help municipalities fulfill retirement obligations. It goes to the thousands of people who dedicated their lives to serving their communities," DePasquale said."This pension money helps bring a measure of stability to pension funds and assists our municipal leaders with budgeting yearly pension obligations."The state municipal pension and volunteer firefighter relief association aid comes from a 2 percent tax on out-of-state casualty and fire insurance premiums.The Department of the Auditor General distributes the funds to municipalities for police, paid firefighter, and municipal employee pension plans.The volunteer firefighter relief association funds are allocated from municipalities to various volunteer firefighter relief associations designated to serve their communities.The funding is not affected by the current state budget impasse because it comes from a dedicated tax fund outside of the state's general fund budget.