the municipal secretary desktop reference manual - Southwestern ...

STATE AGENCIES AND OFFICES
ATTORNEY GENERAL
As the States chief law enforcement office, the Attorney General office has several programs
relating to local police operations: child abuse protection assistance, drug law enforcement training,
and civil rights investigation involving police abuse and misconduct.
Telephone: (717) 787-3391
AUDITOR GENERAL
In addition to post-auditing state fiscal records, this office also post-audits municipal liquid
fuels tax fund allocations, and municipal pension funds for non-uniformed employees where state
moneys are allocated to these pension funds. The Auditor General also administers state grants to
volunteer and paid firefighters and supplemental state assistance to pension funds maintained by
fiscally distressed municipalities.
Telephone: (717) 787-1381
CENTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES
This agency is the successor to the former Department of Community Affairs’ Bureau of
Local Government Services. The Center, a branch of the Department of Community and Economic
Development, is to serve as the principal advocate for local governments, provide programs and
services to local officials and municipal employees, and expeditiously solve problems at the local
level. Among the services provided are:
• Training
• Publications
• Maintenance of statistical data on local government officials and finances.
• Technical assistance in all aspects of governmental operations.
Telephone: (888) 223-6837 NOTE: See appended page of regional office telephone numbers.
CENTER FOR RURAL PENNSYLVANIA
The Center, an agency of the General Assembly, is a place for municipalities to a search for
grant or loan programs for community needs. The Center:
• maintains an extensive data base of state and other funding resources that can help
communities with grant applications and studies of municipal problems.
• provides census and other data for community and regional statistical analysis, another
helpful tool for grant seeking.
• provides technical assistance on a variety of rural community concerns.
• helps communities develop a strategic vision of their future.
• presents seminars and workshops on rural community problems.
Telephone: (717) 787-9555
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
The Commission will assist local governments in the implementation of their merit personnel
systems. Services include preparation and administration of examinations, recruitment, technical
assistance, certification of eligible candidates, and consultation in the operation of a merit system.
Local governments using this service must reimburse the Commission for its assistance.
Telephone: (717) 787-7811
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