The Lackawanna County commissioners invite members of the public to apply for more than 60 seats on county boards, authorities or commissions that are vacant or held by members with expired terms.

Incumbents with expired terms will be asked to submit letters of interest if they wish to retain their seats. New applicants may submit a resume and a letter of interest to: Traci Harte, Deputy Chief of Staff, Lackawanna County Government Center, 6th Floor, 123 Wyoming Ave., Scranton 18503.

“The people of Lackawanna County are at the heart of what keeps our community moving forward. We encourage any resident who is interested to apply by submitting a letter of interest, an application and a resume,” commissioner Chairman Thom Welby said in an announcement.

Commissioner Bill Gaughan said, “Lackawanna County is strongest when we open the doors to public service. By inviting residents to apply, we ensure our boards and authorities reflect real expertise, fresh perspectives, and a commitment to transparent, accountable government.”

Commissioner Chris Chermak added, “County boards and authorities play an important role in how our government serves the public, and we are encouraging residents who want to make a difference to apply where their experience and perspective can be most valuable.”

The boards, authorities and commissions, and the number of open seats for each, include:

Area Agency on Aging Council, 2

Assessment Board, 3

Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Advisory Board, 3

Conservation District, 1

County Fair and Recreation Authority, 4

Disability Action Committee, 5

Drug & Alcohol Advisory Council, 5

Film and Multimedia Commission, 1

Health and Welfare Authority, 1

Heritage Valley Authority, 1

Housing Authority, 2

Industrial Development Authority, 3

Land Bank, 2

Library Board, 3

Literacy Committee, 6

Office of Youth and Family Services Advisory Board, 5

Performing Arts Center Authority, 1

Regional Planning Commission, 3

Redevelopment Authority, 2

River Basin Sewer Authority, 3

Stadium Authority, 1

Visitors Bureau, 2

Workforce Development Board, 8

In 2024, Gaughan, a Democrat, and former Democratic Commissioner Matt McGloin began the practice of advertising openings on county boards and authorities and inviting the public to apply, and incumbents to reapply, with a goal of expanding the pool of potential appointees. The commissioners discussed that practice during their Jan. 7 meeting, when they voted 2-1 to appoint Larry Wynne to the County of Lackawanna Transit System Authority, a board Wynne previously chaired. At the end of 2024, Gaughan and McGloin declined to reappoint Wynne to COLTS.

At the Jan. 7 commissioner meeting, Gaughan wanted to table Wynne’s appointment because the county did not solicit resumes or letters of interest from other applicants for the COLTS seat. Welby, a Democrat, and Chermak, a Republican, said Wynne had experience with COLTS and previously did a good job there. Welby also said the county would soon solicit resumes or letters of interest for boards, commissions and authorities this year, but Wynne’s appointment to COLTS was already underway. The county on Friday then issued the announcement broadly seeking applicants.