16 Pa.C.S. Ch. 161

16 Pa.C.S. Ch. 161
in effect

16 Pa.C.S. § 16101 Title to real estate vested in county.

The title to all real property acquired by or for the use of the county shall be vested in the county for the use of the people in the county and for no other use, except as provided in this chapter.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16101.1 Days and hours of courthouse and offices.

The county commissioners shall determine when the county courthouse and all county offices located elsewhere shall be open.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16102 Exemption from taxation and attachment.

Except as provided under section 16106(b) (relating to authority to sell or lease real property) or other law, all property of the county, real or personal, shall be exempt from taxation and from levy and sale by virtue of execution or of any other process.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16102.1 Payments in lieu of taxes.

If real property of the county is not presently being used for the purposes for which it was acquired, the county may make payments in lieu of taxes for the property to political subdivisions in which the property is located.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16104 Credit of county available for grounds and buildings.

In the acquisition, construction or alteration of land and buildings for county purposes, the commissioners may issue bonds as provided by law.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16105 Acquiring and using real property and exceptions.

(a) General rule.--The county commissioners may acquire real property by purchase for not more than the fair market value, gift, devise or eminent domain. The county commissioners may acquire, improve and maintain real property at the county seat or in other places as the county commissioners deem necessary for the purposes of a county courthouse, prison and other facilities necessary for county purposes. The fair market value of real property for a purchase valued in excess of $10,000 shall be determined by the county commissioners in consultation with two of the following: (1) The county assessor. (2) Licensed real estate brokers. (3) Licensed real estate appraisers doing business within the county. (b) Other uses of property.--The county commissioners may also use real property, as authorized by law, owned by the county and deemed suitable by the county commissioners for the purposes under subsection (a), except property that is bound by contract to another public use. (c) Land for county buildings.--The county commissioners may provide for the grading, filling, draining, gardening and otherwise improving and maintaining of all lands for county buildings, either by contract or by county employees, as the county commissioners deem proper. (d) Application.--This section shall not apply to an acquisition of real property by a county, either by tax sales or by other purchases, that is specifically provided for under another provision of law.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16105.1 Acquiring and developing industrial areas.

(a) General rule.--The county commissioners may purchase, accept by gift or devise real property within the county, including Federal surplus real property, for the purpose of developing the same for industrial use under a local, regional or county plan and to expend money to bring utilities within a county industrial area and to develop an area for industrial sites. (b) Sale or lease of land.--A county may sell, or lease for a term not to exceed 99 years, to an industrial development organization, with or without consideration, lands, easements or rights in land, together with any improvements, buildings or structures on the land owned by the county for the purpose of establishing or enlarging a commercial, industrial or manufacturing enterprise or research and development center within the county. In addition, the following shall apply: (1) The industrial development organization shall be designated in the manner provided by Chapter 23 of the act of June 29, 1996 (P.L.434, No.67), known as the Job Enhancement Act. (2) The county may make an agreement with an industrial development organization for the industrial development of the lands, easements or rights in lands. (3) An instrument of sale, lease or other agreement made under this subsection may contain provisions regulating the uses of lands, buildings and structures for trade, industry, manufacture, research, residence, recreation, water supply, public activities or other purposes.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16106 Authority to sell or lease real property.

(a) General rule.--The county commissioners may sell any estate in real property for not less than the fair market value. If the county commissioners know or have reason to believe that the property to be sold contains oil, gas, coal, stone, timber or other mineral or forest products of commercial value, the knowledge or belief shall be advertised, together with the description of the land, in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county. In the case that the fair market value of the real property is estimated to be in excess of $10,000, the fair market value shall be determined by the county commissioners in consultation with two of the following: (1) The county assessor. (2) Certified broker-appraisers. (3) Certified real estate appraisers doing business within the county. (b) Lease of property.--The county commissioners may lease an estate in real property owned by the county or other real property for which the county is the lessee. For a lease of county property, the property, with improvements or additions on or to the property, shall, in the hands of the lessee, be subject to taxation by the county and any other political subdivision in the county in the same manner as other real estate located in the county. The taxes shall be levied and assessed against and paid by the lessee. (c) Exception.--Subsection (a) may not be mandatory if county real property is to be sold to any of the following: (1) A political subdivision, volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service or volunteer rescue squad located within the county. (2) A municipal authority under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56 (relating to municipal authorities). (3) A nonprofit corporation or limited partnership in which a nonprofit corporation is a general partner and managing agent engaged in community industrial, commercial or affordable housing development or reuse for its exclusive use for industrial, commercial or affordable housing development. This exemption may not apply to property owned and operated by a county or subcontracted or operated on behalf of a county in order to conduct existing government functions. (4) A person for the exclusive use of the property in an industrial development program. (5) A nonprofit corporation organized as a public library for the exclusive use as a library. (6) A nonprofit medical service corporation for the exclusive use as a site for a medical service facility. (7) A nonprofit housing corporation. (8) The Federal Government. (9) The Commonwealth. (10) An authority under the act of August 23, 1967 (P.L.251, No.102), known as the Economic Development Financing Law. (11) A redevelopment authority under the act of May 24, 1945 (P.L.991, No.385), known as the Urban Redevelopment Law. (12) A public utility. (13) A nonprofit organization providing community service or development activities. (14) A nonprofit corporation established for the preservation of historical, architectural or aesthetic sites or artifacts. (15) A nonprofit association or nonprofit corporation organized to acquire and maintain real property for the preservation, conservation and stewardship of open space. (16) A council of government, consortium, cooperative or other similar entity created under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 23 Subch. A (relating to intergovernmental cooperation). (d) Sale to qualified entity.--If the real property is sold or leased to a qualified entity under subsection (c), the commissioners may elect to accept nominal consideration for the sale as the commissioners deem appropriate. Real property sold under this subsection to an entity under subsection (c), other than a city, borough, town, township, institution district, school district, municipal authority under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56 located within the county, the Federal Government or the Commonwealth, shall be subject to the condition that when the property is not used for the purposes of the entity the property shall revert to the county. (e) Application.--This section does not apply to leases or sales of county property or other property which are otherwise specifically provided for by law. (f) Transfer of interest in real property.--The commissioners shall provide for the transfer of an interest in real property under this section by deed or by written lease under the seal of the county, as applicable. Cross References. Section 16106 is referred to in section 16102 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16106.1 Authority to sell certain property as a single unit.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, if the county commissioners determine that the continued ownership and operation of an institution for the care of dependents is economically unfeasible, the county commissioners may sell the real property belonging to the county and being used for the care of dependents and the contents of personal property used in connection with and incidental to the operation of the institution, as a single unit. The sale of real property and personal property as a single unit shall be deemed a sale of real property only and need only comply with this part relating to the sale of real property. Cross References. Section 16106.1 is referred to in section 15105 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16111 Disposing of county property for other uses and demolition.

(a) General rule.--If the county commissioners find that an existing county building is no longer suitable for its original purpose, or if the county has acquired or received an interest in real property which the county commissioners find is not suitable for the use of the county, the county commissioners may do any of the following: (1) Devote the real property to another public purpose. (2) Convey by sale or gift the real property to a public or charitable institution. (3) Convey by sale or gift the real property to a political subdivision within the county. (4) Demolish or relocate the building. (b) Conveyance of real property.--For the purposes of this section, the county commissioners may convey, on behalf of the county, any interest in real property to one or more parties authorized by this section in single or concurrent ownership. (c) Conveyance of personal property.--Notwithstanding Chapter 151 (relating to contracts), the county may convey personal property together with an interest in real property for the purposes of this section. (d) Application.--Nothing in this section shall supersede the procedures or limitations on the disposition of county property imposed by law.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16115 Authority and procedure for acquiring, constructing or altering county buildings.

(a) General rule.--The county commissioners may purchase or accept by gift any building authorized by law deemed suitable and proper by the county commissioners for use as a county building. (b) Construction or alteration.--The county commissioners may provide for the construction or alteration, including enlargement of any county building. If the county commissioners undertake any construction or alteration, the county commissioners shall prepare plans and specifications for the construction or alteration. The county commissioners shall secure bids and provide for the formation of contracts necessary for the construction or alteration according to this act.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16116 Right to build on public squares.

If the courthouse or other building of the county is located upon a public square or common in the city, borough or town then being the county seat, and a new building is authorized and required to be erected, in place of the courthouse or other building, the county commissioners may erect a new building upon any other of the public squares or commons of the city, borough or town, or upon any part thereof.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16117 Separate bids for plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, electrical work, elevators and escalators.

(a) General rule.--In the preparation of specifications for the erection, construction and alteration of a public building, if the entire cost of the work shall exceed the base amount established under section 15101 (relating to commissioners sole contractors for county generally), the architect, engineer or other person preparing specifications shall prepare the following separate specifications: (1) Plumbing. (2) Heating, ventilating and air conditioning. (3) Electrical work. (4) Elevators and escalators. (5) One complete set of specifications for all work not otherwise specified. (b) Separate bids.--The county commissioners shall receive separate bids upon each of the branches of work under subsection (a) and award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder for each of the branches, including the balance of the work not otherwise specified. (c) Alternative contracting procedure.--Notwithstanding the separate specifications of subsection (a), an authority organized under the act of August 23, 1967 (P.L.251, No.102), known as the Economic Development Financing Law, which is engaged to erect, construct or alter a public purpose facility for a county of the second class A may elect to use an alternative contracting procedure as follows: (1) The authority may elect to use an alternative contracting procedure for a project involving selected public purpose facilities. If the authority elects to utilize an alternative contracting procedure, the county commissioners shall adopt a resolution that the use of an alternative contracting procedure is the most efficient, economical and timely method to proceed with a project. Upon adoption of a resolution, the authority shall request written proposals from proposers for a project involving selected public purpose facilities under an alternative contracting method. In a request for proposals, the authority shall include terms, conditions and requirements which the authority deems necessary to protect the authority and the interests of the public. (2) In reviewing and evaluating the proposals for a project involving selected public purpose facilities, the authority shall, in addition to compliance with the terms, conditions and requirements set forth in the request for proposals, consider the following criteria: (i) The cost of the project. (ii) Experience of the proposer. (iii) Adherence to the act of March 3, 1978 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Steel Products Procurement Act. (iv) Adherence to prevailing wage laws and other work force standards. (v) Commitment to enter into voluntary contracts with disadvantaged business enterprises. After due consideration of proposals under the criteria described in this paragraph, the authority may, upon recommendation of a designee or project end user, select a proposal and award a contract to a responsible proposer under an alternative contracting procedure. The award of a contract for the project need not be awarded to the lowest priced proposer. (3) A contract awarded under this subsection shall be exempt from the act of May 1, 1913 (P.L.155, No.104), referred to as the Separations Act, or from any subsequent enactment or reenactment of substantially similar separate bid specification requirements. (d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Alternative contracting procedure." A procedure under which a proposer would be responsible for all aspects or phases necessary to achieve the development of a parcel of property. The aspects or phases of development may include the planning, design, finance, construction and management of property. "Design/build contract." A construction contract in which the contractor is responsible for both the design and construction of a public structure, building or other public improvement of any kind to any public real property. "Project." The demolition, modification and construction of a building or group of buildings with related facilities formerly owned by a county and previously used as a jail or office facility. "Project end user." The governmental body or entity to use the selected public purpose facility under a contract or lease with the authority. "Proposer." A firm, organization or company or a combination of firms, organizations or companies acting as a partnership, joint venture, consortium or similar joint relationship with sufficient knowledge, expertise and experience in design/build contracts.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16118 Contract performance security and payment bonds.

(a) General rule.--Unless covered under the bonding requirements of the act of December 20, 1967 (P.L.869, No.385), known as the Public Works Contractors' Bond Law of 1967, for construction contracts awarded for amounts between $25,000 and $100,000, the successful bidder shall furnish a bond guaranteeing performance of the contract, in an amount as determined by the county commissioners at the time of advertising for bids, which shall be no less than 10% or more than 100% of the amount of the contract, within 30 days after the contract is awarded. If a construction contract is awarded in excess of $100,000, the following bonds shall be delivered to the county and shall be binding on the parties upon the execution of the contract: (1) A performance bond, executed by a surety company authorized to do business in this Commonwealth and made payable to the county, in an amount determined by the county commissioners at the time of advertising for bids which shall be not less than 50% or more than 100% of the price specified in the contract and conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract in accordance with the plans, specifications and conditions of the contract. (2) A payment bond, executed by a surety company authorized to do business in this Commonwealth and made payable to the county, in an amount equal to 100% of the price specified in the contract and conditioned upon the prompt payment for all materials furnished or labor supplied or performed in the prosecution of the work. Labor and materials include public utility services and reasonable rentals of equipment for the periods when the equipment is actually used at the site. (b) Bond protection.--A performance bond shall be solely for the protection of the county. A payment bond shall be solely for the protection of claimants supplying labor or materials to the prime contractor to whom the contract was awarded or to any subcontractors in the prosecution of the work provided for in the contract, regardless of if the labor or materials constitute a component part of the construction. (c) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the county commissioners to require a performance bond, payment bond or other security in addition to those bonds or in circumstances other than specified in subsection (a). (d) Payment bonds.--Actions on payment bonds shall be in accordance with the following: (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a claimant who has performed labor or furnished material in the prosecution of the work under a contract for which a payment bond has been given under subsection (a), and who has not been paid in full before the expiration of 90 days after the day on which the claimant performed the last of the labor or furnished the last of the materials for which it claims payments, may bring an action on the payment bond in its own name, in assumpsit, to recover any amount due it for the labor or material and may prosecute the action to final judgment and have execution on the judgment. (2) A claimant who has a direct contractual relationship with a subcontractor of the prime contractor who gave the payment bond but has no contractual relationship, express or implied, with the prime contractor may bring an action on the payment bond only if the claimant has given written notice to the contractor within 90 days from the date on which the claimant performed the last of the labor or furnished the last of the materials for which it claims payment, stating with substantial accuracy the amount and the name of the person for whom the work was performed or to whom the material was furnished. (3) Notice shall be served by registered mail in an envelope addressed to the contractor at any place where the contractor's office is regularly maintained for the transaction of business or served in any manner in which legal process may be served in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons, except that the service need not be made by a public officer. (e) Dollar thresholds.--The dollar thresholds provided under subsection (a) shall be adjusted annually to reflect the annual percentage change in the Composite Construction Cost Index of the United States Department of Commerce occurring in the one-year period ending on December 31 of each year. Cross References. Section 16118 is referred to in section 15102 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16119 Compliance with workers' compensation law.

(a) General rule.--Each contract executed by the county commissioners, which involves the construction or doing of any work involving the employment of labor, shall contain a provision that the contractor shall accept, in so far as the work covered by a contract is concerned, the provisions of the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act, and that the contractor will insure contractor's liability under the act or file with the county commissioners a certificate of exemption from insurance from the Department of Labor and Industry. (b) Proof of compliance.--The county commissioners, before signing on behalf of the county a contract requiring in its performance the employment of labor, shall require proof that the contractor with whom the contract is made shall have accepted the Workers' Compensation Act and any reenactments, supplements or amendments to the act, and proof that the contractor has complied with subsection (a). (c) Violation.--A contract executed in violation of the provisions of this section shall be null and void.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16125 Buildings and grounds.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the county commissioners shall keep and maintain the public buildings of the county in suitable and convenient order and repair and shall keep the grounds about county buildings in proper condition and appearance.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16126 Security and grounds employees.

(a) Security officers.--The county commissioners may appoint one or more security officers to guard and protect the county buildings and to enforce this part and other related laws. The security officers shall have power to arrest on view a person violating this part. (b) Grounds employees.--The county commissioners may employ persons as may be necessary to provide for maintenance and repair of all county buildings and grounds.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16127 Display of municipal flags on county buildings authorized.

It shall be lawful to display the flag of any county, city, borough or other municipality in the Commonwealth or the official POW/MIA flag on the public buildings or grounds of any county.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16137 Room or building for juvenile offenders awaiting trial.

The county commissioners of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth class shall provide, furnish and heat within the county a separate room or rooms or a suitable building to be used exclusively for the confinement of any and all alleged or adjudicated delinquent children or dependent children as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302 (relating to definitions) who may be in custody awaiting trial or hearing in the courts of the county, and provide for the maintenance and care of the children while in custody.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16139 Furnishing rooms for meetings of veterans and other organizations.

The county commissioners may, upon application, furnish meeting accommodations to any veterans, veterans auxiliary or other civic organization.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16139.2 Room or building for juvenile offenders awaiting trial.

The county commissioners shall provide, furnish and heat within the county a separate room or rooms or a suitable building to be used exclusively for the confinement of alleged or adjudicated delinquent children or dependent children as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302 (relating to definitions) who are in custody awaiting trial or hearing in the courts of the county, and provide for the maintenance and care of the children while in custody.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16139.3 Management of houses for detention of juveniles and appointment of board and ex officio members.

(a) Board of managers.--The management of houses for the detention and reception of juveniles awaiting trial, hearing or judicial investigation under the laws of this Commonwealth shall be in a board of managers consisting of the following members: (1) Three county commissioners. (2) The county controller. (3) Six private citizens to be appointed as follows: (i) Three to be appointed by the president judge of the court of common pleas. (ii) Three to be appointed by the chairperson of the county commissioners. (b) Designees.--The county commissioners and the controller may appoint individuals to act as designees for the purpose of attending meetings of the board, and the designees shall have the right to vote at the meetings. (c) Private citizen members.--The private citizen members of the board may not be officers or employees of the county. (d) Existing boards of managers.--The members of the board of managers existing in the county shall remain as members of the board or boards of managers created in this subchapter until the expiration of the terms to which the members were appointed. Annually thereafter, the members or successors shall be appointed for a term of three years. (e) Vacancies.--Vacancies occurring in the membership of the board shall be filled for the unexpired term by the chairperson of the county commissioners or the president judge of the court of common pleas, depending upon who originally appointed the board member. (f) Compensation.--The members of the board shall serve without compensation.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16139.4 Appointment and compensation of employees.

The board of managers may appoint a superintendent and additional staff members as may be necessary, whose salaries shall be paid by the county. The number and compensation of the employees shall be fixed by the salary board of the county.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16139.5 Annual report and expenses.

On or before November 1, the board of managers shall annually report to the county commissioners the amount of money required for the maintenance of the house or houses of detention. The county commissioners shall make an annual appropriation to the board of managers for the payment of the expenses of administering the house of detention. Expenses incurred in the performance of duties by the board of managers shall be itemized and presented with vouchers to the county commissioners for payment, and a semiannual expense report shall be made to the county commissioners. All expenses in connection with the management and administration of the house of detention shall be paid by the county in the manner provided by law for the payment of county obligations.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16139.6 Appropriation and bond issues.

The county commissioners shall have power and authority for the purpose of housing juveniles to appropriate money from public money or to issue bonds in the manner provided by law for the purchase of lands or erecting, constructing and equipping a building or buildings.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16145 Joining with municipalities in improving certain streets and highways.

(a) General rule.--The county commissioners may join with the governing body of a municipal corporation in the grading, regrading, paving, repaving and improvement of so much of the streets and highways as are in, upon or alongside of the grounds of a county building. (b) Contract with municipalities.--The county commissioners may enter into contract with a municipality to pay a fair proportion of the expense of grading, regrading, paving, repaving and improvement of the streets and highways and may appropriate from the county treasury sufficient money for this purpose. The county commissioners may act with any committee appointed by municipalities to establish grades, determine the kind and quality of paving materials to be used and ratify the contracts entered into by the municipalities in the course of the improvements. (c) Contract specifications.--The selection of grades, paving materials and proportion of expenses to be paid by the county shall be specified by a contract formulated under this section.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16146 Ornamental illumination.

(a) General rule.--The county commissioners may appropriate money to support the installation, maintenance or repair of ornamental illumination of any section of a street that abuts the courthouse or other county building in the county seat. (b) Limitation.--The appropriation by the county commissioners under subsection (a) may not exceed the amount that shall be assessed for ornamental illumination upon owners of an equivalent frontage of property abutting upon the street, measured by the foot front rule.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16150 Appropriations for public accommodations.

(a) General rule.--The county commissioners may appropriate money to assist a municipality to construct and maintain public restrooms and related facilities. (b) Courthouse rest and waiting rooms.--The county commissioners may provide or cooperate with a municipality or municipal authority to equip and maintain in the courthouse rest or waiting rooms for the public. (c) Lease of ground.--Any part of a ground acquired by a county for the purposes of a courthouse or other county building or facility may be leased by the county to a municipality being the county seat of the county for the purpose of the construction of a public comfort station by the municipality.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16155 Monuments, memorials and memorial halls to war veterans.

The county commissioners may appropriate money for and provide for the erection of monuments, memorials or memorial halls commemorating or honoring the services of any individual who has served in the armed forces of the United States or in any auxiliary organization officially connected with a division of the armed forces of the United States. Cross References. Section 16155 is referred to in section 16156 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16156 Assistance to private or municipal agencies.

The county commissioners may appropriate money to assist any individual, private corporation or municipal corporation in the erection of a monument, memorial or memorial hall authorized under section 16155 (relating to monuments, memorials and memorial halls to war veterans).

16 Pa.C.S. § 16159 Existing buildings.

The county commissioners may acquire by any lawful means any real property which can be altered and improved so as to be made suitable for a memorial hall.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16160 Donations.

For the purpose of aiding in the acquisition of real property and erection and construction of a memorial hall, voluntary donations and contributions may be accepted by the county commissioners from individuals, associations and organizations.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16161 Maintenance of hall.

A county memorial hall shall be the property of and shall be maintained at the expense of the county.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16163 Board of control.

(a) Establishment.--In a county in which the county commissioners have established a memorial hall, the county commissioners shall establish a board of control of the memorial hall and shall establish the powers and duties of the board of control to provide for the operation and maintenance of the memorial hall. The county commissioners shall provide for the members of the board of control to be selected by the veterans organizations which operate in, and have been recognized by, the county. (b) Existing boards of control.--A board of control established prior to December 24, 2018, shall continue according to the provisions of law that applied at the time that the board was established until the county commissioners take an action under subsection (a).

16 Pa.C.S. § 16164 Flagstaff and display of flag.

A flagstaff shall be erected upon any county memorial hall from which the flag of the United States shall be displayed from sunrise to sunset on each day of the year.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16165 Acquisition of additional land and equipment, furnishings, etc.

In a county in which there is a memorial hall in honor of the soldiers, sailors or marines from the county, the county commissioners may acquire additional land adjoining the memorial hall to enhance and preserve the beauty and character of the memorial hall or equip, furnish, decorate and make additions to the memorial hall, or both.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16166 Tax levy and increase or indebtedness.

The county commissioners may levy and collect a tax upon the taxable persons and property within the county or increase the indebtedness of the county according to 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. VII Subpt. B (relating to indebtedness and borrowing) to pay for the following: (1) Erecting a memorial hall, including the purchased or condemned ground upon which the memorial hall is erected. (2) Acquiring additional land or enlarging, equipping, furnishing or decorating a memorial hall.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16167 Preservation, maintenance, repair and completion of public monuments.

The county commissioners may preserve, maintain and repair any public monument or memorial hall in the county, other than in cemeteries, including the enclosed public ground surrounding the monument, and appropriate money for these purposes. If a public monument referred to in this section has been partially completed, either in construction or payment, the commissioners may appropriate money for the purpose of completion.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16168 Acquiring of property.

Counties may acquire property according to this chapter for the purpose of erecting public auditoriums, public libraries, public memorial buildings and monuments.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16169 Rental of auditoriums.

Revenue derived from rental of a public auditorium shall first be devoted to the maintenance of the auditorium and any remaining annual balance accruing from rent shall be deposited in the general fund of the county.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16174 Donations to orphans' or childrens' homes.

The county commissioners may receive real or personal property which may be given or granted to the county by any lawful means for the use and purpose of providing a home within the county for the keeping and care of indigent orphans and children who depend on the county for support.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16175 Management and control of orphans' home.

An orphans' home shall be under the management and control of the county commissioners. The county commissioners may appoint a superintendent and assistants as necessary to properly conduct the affairs of the home.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16176 Admission to home.

Indigent orphans and children shall be admitted to an orphans' or childrens' home on order of the county commissioners.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16177 Maintenance of childrens' homes.

If a property has been given or granted to a county for a childrens' home and a home is established, the county may appropriate money for the support and maintenance of orphans and children and for the payment of the salary of the superintendent and assistants.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16190 Authority to provide and approval.

The county commissioners may buy or lease land and construct and maintain on the land, at the expense of the county, a morgue for the reception of all deceased individuals under the care and custody of the coroner.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=16Fetched: 10/16/2026

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