This story first appeared in Talk of the Town — a daily newsletter from the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA , an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown .

How Local Government Works is a series that focuses on issues and trends in Pennsylvania governments and provides tools for readers to hold their officials accountable. Have a question about local government? Email Local Accountability Reporter Min Xian.

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