At the December 28, 2011 weekly Public Meeting, the Lancaster County Commissioners voted to abolish the Office of Jury Commissioner - a state legislative initiative they have advocated for since 2009.  Commissioner Dennis Stuckey was absent for the vote.

The Office of Jury Commissioners was established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to ensure that lists of potential jurors are a representative cross section of the community.  However, since the 1980's the County of Lancaster has worked with an outside entity to efficiently and effectively select jurors using computer technology - ultimately making the jobs of the Jury Commissioners obsolete.  

Until recently, the County of Lancaster was required by State law to uphold the positions of Jury Commissioners, including salary and benefits, regardless of their necessity. However, on December 15, 2011, Governor Corbett signed Act 108 of 2011 into law, enabling county governments of the Second Class A or Third through Eighth Classes to adopt a resolution or ordinance abolishing the office of Jury Commissioners effective at the completion of the current Jury Commissioners' Terms of Office. The Board of Commissioners took such action at Wednesday’s meeting with the passage of Resolution No. 87 of 2011.

Eliminating this office will save the County of Lancaster approximately $42,500 per year as per 2011 operating costs.