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Mika, an attorney with Williamson, Friedberg and Jones, Pottsville, served as campaign manager for Gallagher and commissioner-elect Francis V. McAndrew. McAndrew also serves as county sheriff until he officially takes his commissioner’s seat.
Gallagher and McAndrew defeated Republicans Frank J. Staudenmeier and Bob Carl in Nov. 6 elections. Staudenmeier will remain as the new Republican minority commissioner.
“We have a pretty good idea of his skills because he ran our campaign,” McAndrew said. “He’s a great guy and a well-respected attorney.”
McAndrew said Jay Jones will remain on board as an assistant solicitor.
Mika has been acting solicitor for the borough of Girardville since 2000 and a special litigator for the borough of Ashland.
Mika’s father, Dr. John S. Mika, previously served as Schuylkill County coroner until 1999.
Mika said one of his first tasks is examining the controversial “LCCC tax,” which Gallagher has said represents, in essence, a tax increase.
The $1.1 million-a-year education tax was money meant for education, but instead funneled into the general fund, according to Gallagher. She proposed motions to open up the budget and remove the tax, but they were denied for lack of a second vote from her Republican counterparts.
“First and foremost is trying to sort out the county’s finances,” Mika said.
Mika also said he’ll be working closely with county government to figure out how to solve computer woes in the courthouse.
The county signed a nearly $1 million contract with Michigan-based New World Systems more than two years ago for a new computer system in the courthouse. Two years later, the system has been plagued by problems and has yet to get up and running.
Schuylkill County has paid New World more than $700,000 in taxpayer money for a system that county administrator Darlene Dolzani said “has yet to do a full eight hours of work.”
Gallagher and McAndrew said legal action will be taken in 2008 unless the system is fixed or the money is returned.
Mika said he could not discuss details until he officially takes over Jan. 7.
Mika also served in the Air Force from 1989 to 1994.
Datte could not be reached for comment Friday.
