[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6094965,"mediaKeyId","2841370-d6c02a8dfe5e8977118dc2e4663c7a1f","parentId",2841370,"title","Lebanon County commissioners approve routine minutes, financial reports, personnel changes and a package of grants and appointments","audioSeconds",1300,"startMs",1300000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2841370-d6c02a8dfe5e8977118dc2e4663c7a1f&start=1300&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2841370-d6c02a8dfe5e8977118dc2e4663c7a1f/thumbnail_1300000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094965/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Lebanon-County-commissioners-approve-routine-minutes-financial-reports-personnel-changes-and-a-package-of-grants-and-appointments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094965-35f31f7477b03980802557a780ae086e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180164&Signature=ocP1a~YmMfDnjbKl4r4n6R14VEsQnDXe6Sw5FCsTP0tgme-oBQQAEJ68VUVVkTomlwHUv05hCSBl3-7xtpJkM7BeLvF8Xwyc3gyOWJZS5v~u7WCdnXlTvaxYLQjAx8LyfGsrAQ9Z2jcl1thX4uwIhdVpP5k9XlCbkGJoFlz2vVnlSOy~XHgDL-gHLMT8fvPP8lwYNxyOfLcgoAUFXNhhlN80Ke6lcbT-nYFyoUWonFwYVhx97ouXX05sWdtIRf5I6gowBHABkPhPiLJ1udiADOpJZZb94i2HEYKwnvEF6EXw7P98OukUV7hw660Bd-KP58x20GKae3sNnvSlSUyQcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lebanon County, PA","date","2025-04-01T01:00:01Z","article","The Lebanon County Board of Commissioners approved a series of routine and programmatic actions at a public meeting on March 22, 2025, including minutes and financial reports, personnel transactions, grant awards from the hotel tax fund, a land swap to support a county communications tower, and appointments to county advisory bodies.

The board approved minutes from the Feb. 20, 2025 meeting and the treasurer’s report as presented. The treasurer reported receipts and cash balances, and the board voted to accept the report.

The board authorized a Passport Acceptance Day to be held March 22, 2025, and approved overtime pay for up to nine employees in the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts office to staff the event. The board also approved associated procedural details presented by Barb Smith in the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts office, including signage and required payment methods for federal passport fees.

On personnel matters, the board accepted multiple resignations and approved promotions, status changes and hires across departments: caseworkers and telecommunicators in Children & Youth and Emergency Services; clinical and Renova Center staffing changes; promotions in the Clerk of Courts and Register of Wills offices; and the creation of a law clerk position in the Public Defender’s Office (nonunion grade 14, 40 hours per week, retroactive/ effective dates as read into the record). Several specific hires and rehires were approved, including both full-time and part‑time positions and interpreter stipends.

The board approved Children & Youth invoices for the first quarter totaling $3,610,504 and second quarter invoices totaling $4,064,918.22 as presented.

County Solicitor Matthew Bugley asked the board to approve a land swap in Heidelberg Township to facilitate access to a new communications tower for the Department of Emergency Services. The board authorized execution of the deeds and approved payment of recording and transfer costs to counsel (invoice of $906.95 for recording, transfer tax and notary fees).

The board approved two Pennsylvania County Risk Pool (P CORP) loss‑prevention grant requests recommended by the county safety committee: purchase of one transport leg‑brace kit and two 10‑pound locking leg weights for the Sheriff’s Office (approximate cost $824) and use of remaining grant funds for annual maintenance of the jail’s Guardian accountability software (remainder $7,257). The board authorized procurement with P CORP grant funds.

Travel- and visitor‑oriented projects received hotel tax grants: Mount Gretna School of Art ($5,000), Chautauqua Foundation/Mount Gretna Art Show (approved $5,000; note in the record they requested $7,000 but the board capped the award at the $5,000 program maximum), and SpinStock Flow Arts Festival ($5,000).

The board approved eight disabled‑veteran real‑estate tax exemption applications that met program criteria (individual applicants listed in official minutes).

Appointments approved included naming Bonnie Loy chair of the America250PA Lebanon County Commission and adding Doug Eder and Rachel Eder as members; and the board approved a temporary appointment to the Clarence Schock Memorial Park board to fill a term that runs to June 30, 2025.

A motion to provide a county letter of support for an invite‑only WellSpan Imagine grant application led by local partners (see separate article) passed by voice vote. Several items were moved, seconded and approved by voice; no roll‑call tallies with individual member votes were recorded in the minutes for most motions.

No litigation or executive‑session outcomes were announced during the public portion of the meeting; the board indicated a subsequent executive session would cover a real estate matter.

Votes at a glance (items approved during the meeting):
- Minutes (Feb. 20, 2025) — approved.
- Treasurer’s report — approved.
- Passport Acceptance Day, March 22, 2025 — approved; overtime for up to nine Prothonotary office employees approved.
- Multiple resignations, promotions, transfers and hires across county departments — approved.
- Creation of a law clerk position in the Public Defender’s Office (nonunion grade 14) — approved.
- Children & Youth invoices Q1 $3,610,504 and Q2 $4,064,918.22 — approved.
- Land swap/deed execution in Heidelberg Township and payment of $906.95 for recording/transfer costs — approved.
- P CORP loss prevention purchases (leg‑brace kit/weights and Guardian software maintenance) using remaining grant funds — approved.
- Hotel tax grants: Mount Gretna School of Art $5,000; Chautauqua Foundation (Mount Gretna Art Show) $5,000; SpinStock Flow Arts Festival $5,000 — approved.
- Eight disabled‑veteran real‑estate exemption applications — approved.
- Appointments to America250PA Lebanon County Commission (Bonnie Loy as chair; Doug Eder and Rachel Eder added) — approved.
- Appointment to Clarence Schock Memorial Park board to fill remainder of term through June 30, 2025 — approved.

The approvals will take effect as specified in the motions recorded in the minutes or on their effective dates stated during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/6/2025 Lebanon County Commissioner Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Lebanon County Board of Commissioners approved a range of routine and programmatic actions at its March 22 meeting, including financial reports, personnel changes, hotel tax grants, a Heidelberg Township land swap to support a new county communications tower and appointments to advisory bodies.","taxTitle","Lebanon County, Pennsylvania","taxId",4590,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094956,"North London Township reports park improvements funded by $13,000 Marcellus grant",91,1124000,1215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2841370-d6c02a8dfe5e8977118dc2e4663c7a1f&start=1124&end=1215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2841370-d6c02a8dfe5e8977118dc2e4663c7a1f/thumbnail_1124000.jpg","/articles/6094956/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/North-London-Township-reports-park-improvements-funded-by-13000-Marcellus-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094956-caed27a925e5b8632cc803778862b94f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180164&Signature=RuyuYq4CgRN7wU9uIJydsfPeXILQQ1Dlj7BTY4J0Y92NLH8x6Btl1rU4bvH-8pTYWW7RV1rsT~Stt2daerJJZWPfSbj0RNOFAU6nUBkW~-0N7bJ5~x0hYInoahltOlsMEolELbRWEVLoMSIiM0Oa7DXYyxZY1LWuRzD-N7nR17DfyZluZLTyllIZzxrWG~Z0haFcPOlta-MZ59uB~5v~DqO59GAuyjxL3ScOL3UBOivdUUDtYxAqNnFuf07I1IkdpY~IGeyf1e7I6E99oNnsZZy6duiO8x2k-JUr8ERdCW2kZp1iRubVHbrDYFVZBRnnXphy12LNqyeJbZfzgr5nEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North London Township officials updated the Lebanon County Board of Commissioners on park improvements funded in part by a Marcellus grant the township received.

Amber Royalls, administrative assistant for North London Township, reported the township was awarded $13,000 from the Marcellus grant program and used local labor and equipment to plant 73 trees, install two benches at Lenny Lenape Park and add another bench at the Township Community Park (a playground upgrade there was completed in 2022). The township listed a total project cost of $26,120 and said the county grant funds were matched with township resources, recycled mulch and in‑kind labor from multiple township departments.

Royalls said crews began work in November and that grant funds previously awarded to the township have supported pavilion installations, shade trees and other amenities intended to increase park use and attract visitors from both inside and outside Lebanon County.

Commissioners acknowledged the presentation and thanked township staff for the update. No formal board action was required beyond accepting the presentation and recording the project summary in the meeting minutes.

Ending: Township officials encouraged commissioners and residents to visit the parks; commissioners thanked the township for the update and the effective use of grant funds.","North London Township officials told the county commissioners that a $13,000 Marcellus grant helped pay for new trees, benches and other park improvements in township parks; township staff described volunteer and public‑works contributions and a $26,120 total project cost.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":44,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":50,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094962,"Local providers win county backing for WellSpan Imagine housing grant application",498,1798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2841370-d6c02a8dfe5e8977118dc2e4663c7a1f&start=1300&end=1798","/articles/6094962/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Local-providers-win-county-backing-for-WellSpan-Imagine-housing-grant-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094962-a42e3cc6c61afcf8b371f82fd68ffe92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180164&Signature=dR2EWW63IE5hsRqwFOmiX0RhWZnWhnsz~vcNivWbC5jF63q3XHZBQHfgUqdz2i3mOxe60sabpgG~rGDgVSp0wHZb0TXuqj2GhQ9lOO47340T8iFImGNZd~D6tOX3V9KGDXVlBgs4NzXNw-gC3wXqW~OJNkMJIIHW2yAZo18W1XnUsIpvUQNRaBznuI6r8BJuQ52mU8LeRWG4oPMTxajyypgf1aB-CfMSkrP-AiQF7FFMEojl79lzlYKti8h20OiXaT--QU7joqaMzW74VEWVN32AR5HB40oqyAZ7NUqGi1m6YMz2DDOb46IK7RYsXwoOXjcEAAEhspyPEX690i2NAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A coalition of local housing and social‑services partners has secured the Lebanon County Board of Commissioners’ support for an invite‑only WellSpan Imagine grant application that would fund a county housing director and related housing‑stability work.

Brian Smith, speaking for Lebanon County Christian Ministries and a coalition of partners, told commissioners the request is for a WellSpan Imagine grant of up to $750,000 over three years to fund a director and program activities focused on housing affordability, preservation, eviction prevention and emergency housing supports. The board voted to provide a letter of support for the application.

Why it matters: Coalition members said local data show high housing need. Representatives told the board that more than 40% of those seeking assistance through Lebanon County Christian Ministries’ Uplift Light program are “severely housing burdened” (paying more than half of income for housing) and that 71% of clients seeking help were behind on utility bills. The county’s 2023 housing needs assessment was cited at the meeting; presenters said it identified roughly 2,000 occupied units considered substandard and an extremely tight rental market with an available rental stock of about 0.4% at the time of that analysis.

What the grant would fund: The coalition described a plan to form a Lebanon County Housing Collaborative, hire a director (a proposed county housing champion), and coordinate multi‑sector partners — private developers, nonprofit homeless‑services providers, eviction‑prevention programs, financial institutions and government entities. The proposed 10‑year sustainability goal relies on braiding front‑loaded grant funds with county affordable‑housing dollars, city contributions and philanthropic or foundation support if the WellSpan award is received.

Timing and next steps: The WellSpan Imagine grant is a three‑year award; the coalition asked only for the county letter of support at this meeting. Commissioners approved the motion to provide the letter by voice vote; county staff said the letter will be drafted and transmitted to the lead applicant ahead of WellSpan’s deadline. Coalition representatives said the invite‑only application process had been coordinated by WellSpan and that the partners intend to use the award to seed a longer‑term, braided funding model if successful.

Clarifying details read at the meeting included the coalition’s project budget components: salary and benefits for the director, a modest administrative fee, an emergency housing allocation for crisis needs and a small amount of capital investment toward a planned transitional‑housing project that local partners are developing.

No county funding commitment for a 10‑year continuation of the position was made at the meeting; coalition speakers said sustaining the position beyond the three‑year grant term was a future budget conversation that would involve county and municipal partners if WellSpan funding were awarded.

A motion to provide the letter of support was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.

Ending: County administration will draft the letter of support and coordinate submission with the lead applicant; partners said they will continue planning and outreach while awaiting the grant decision.","A coalition led by Lebanon County Christian Ministries asked the Board of Commissioners for a letter of support to apply for an invite‑only WellSpan Imagine grant of up to $750,000 to fund a county housing director and housing stability initiatives; the board voted to provide the letter.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lebanon County commissioners approve routine minutes, financial reports, personnel changes and a package of grants and appointments

North London Township reports park improvements funded by $13,000 Marcellus grant

Local providers win county backing for WellSpan Imagine housing grant application