Financial forecast looks bleak as debt study released [Video]

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — In Lackawanna County, the financial forecast is looking bleak. On Thursday, the financial consultants the commissioners hired a few months back unveiled their initial findings on how to keep the county afloat through the end of the year.

The path to financial recovery for Lackawanna County is just beginning. PFM Consulting shared their first part of the study focusing on immediate actions needed to stabilize finances through 2024.

“The county has a spending problem, that’s what it is, that’s what it comes down to,” said Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak.

Facing a projected $11,300,000 shortfall by the end of 2024, Lackawanna County could see significant financial changes.

“I think that the county’s going to have to take a look back at the federal stimulus money, and make a hard decision and say we really wanted to use it for ‘x’ but instead I need to use it for ‘y’. Expenditure …