Carbon County started 2024 with new officials, changes to the budget and increases to employee salaries.

Michael Sofranko, who had served as Jim Thorpe mayor for several years, was sworn in to join returning board members Wayne Nothstein and Rocky Ahner.

He was then elected to serve as the chairman of the board of commissioners.

Following the swearing-in of the board, Sofranko and Nothstein voted to reopen the 2024 budget, which is allowed by county code when a new board is in place. Ahner voted against the motion.

At that time, Sofranko said that taking another look at the budget will allow the board to do cost analysis and make sure there is proper funding in the budget, adding that he is interested in hearing what his colleagues have to say.

The board would go on to adopt a 0.75-mill increase in a 2-1 vote.

During the annual salary board meeting, which the commissioners are members, the board approved 3.5% raises for county employees.

In addition to salary increases, the commissioners, in March, also approved parking lot fund increases on weekends to $15 for vehicles. A second weekend parking fee increases is coming in 2025.

Other notable actions throughout the year include:

• New partnerships between Northampton and Schuylkill counties. Carbon County entered into an agreement with Northampton to help with the groundwork for the new open space program the county was starting; and partnered with Schuylkill in the first step to create an emergency support network to help emergency responders better communicate over radio during emergencies.

• Funding frustrations. Carbon County began the year lending Children and Youth Services hundreds of thousands of dollars to continue operations as state reimbursements hadn’t been received. The board of commissioners voiced their frustrations over not receiving reimbursements in a timely manner, as well as aired frustrations about the lack of funding available to counties for bridge repairs.

• Carbon County hired two women to fill newly created positions that will help secure grants and preserve land. Valerie A. Saveri of Jim Thorpe was pegged to serve as the grant coordinator, while Anna Shigo of Jim Thorpe was hired to serve as the new open space coordinator.

• The county also bid farewell to longtime Emergency Management Agency coordinator Mark Nalesnik, who retired on Oct. 2. Zachary G. Gilbert of Lansford was tapped to fill Nalesnik’s position.

• Carbon County celebrated 50 years since Mauch Chunk Lake Park opened to residents and visitors.