[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",5978665,"mediaKeyId","5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233","parentId",5810087,"title","Election officials set absentee‑ballot dropbox schedule and OK contingency polling move for North Lebanon East","audioSeconds",793,"startMs",4665000,"endMs",5458000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233&start=4665&end=5458","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233/thumbnail_4665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5978665/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Election-officials-set-absenteeballot-dropbox-schedule-and-OK-contingency-polling-move-for-North-Lebanon-East","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978665-fefb61a7806358d6229b82ab47940b33/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603421&Signature=QgS5-~IipC7moM7rF4Vga9DCoYSv8AjjXgUuwZjut-Td4L4KFFdFCM-OF~7s~e0pFD3gc6ELbWk6DIdugJ5t~7wcsLqIwLq8DPUxJ-mTyn6mvzGLnyeR21qGA9DC4ZqEMO5U8NIrYNOyqKScD9byzN1Y3YRhwf88xluQ2oBJHcWzJfRvpXEwjwEUUqVdcyuFCmzZYzccShGCRZwcq3z0772j8PxtWT3LkX7kbX8-8XSn3gFHIsua5nUZlZU7Q1V1EEMENIqPWihguxhLI2T0J-R6lcv0rLg6hqSox3MnRl6zW9cd8LcRxjBaYgs82InSDp~vZJXdO64s8wVSHpabfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lebanon County, PA","date","2025-09-19T00:00:00Z","article","Lebanon County election officials presented a slate of administrative actions Sept. 18: the Board of Elections approved the ballot as presented, scheduled logic‑and‑accuracy testing and set a standard opening date for the absentee‑ballot dropbox. Commissioners also approved a contingency polling location change for North Lebanon East precinct.
Election calendar and testing: Sean Rascher, director of elections, said logic‑and‑accuracy testing will begin the week of Sept. 29 and that ballots will be mailed shortly thereafter. The board approved the ballot and agreed to deploy the ballot dropbox starting the Monday following the mail drop; for this cycle that date was set as Oct. 14, 2025. The board agreed to standardize the dropbox deployment to “the full week following mailing” for future elections unless revisited.
Polling‑place contingency: election staff reported the North Lebanon East precinct’s long‑used site (formerly Blue Max Bingo) had been sold; county staff attempted to reach the new owner and had not received firm permission to continue using the location. As a contingency, the board approved moving North Lebanon East precinct to Kimberlin’s Grange (990 Mount Zion Road) if the new owner does not formalize approval by the end of the following week. The motion instructed election staff to complete required voter notices if the contingency is triggered.
Why it matters: the actions finalize pre‑election operational steps — ballot approval, L&A testing and a public dropbox schedule — and set a clear fallback plan to prevent a mid‑cycle disruption to voters in North Lebanon East.
Formal actions: the board voted to approve the ballot, to open the dropbox on Oct. 14, 2025, to standardize the post‑mailing dropbox schedule and to approve the contingency polling location move; each motion carried by voice vote.
Ending: election staff said they will report any final confirmation from the former site owner and will proceed with notices and logistics if the Kimberlin’s Grange relocation becomes necessary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9/18/2025 Lebanon County Commissioner Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The county election office approved ballot logic-and-accuracy testing and set a standard schedule for an absentee‑ballot dropbox; commissioners also approved a contingency move of North Lebanon East precinct to Kimberlin's Grange if the current site owner declines continued use.","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},5978670,"Commissioners split remaining hotel‑tax funds across three local events",677,3845000,4522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233&start=3845&end=4522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233/thumbnail_3845000.jpg","/articles/5978670/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-split-remaining-hoteltax-funds-across-three-local-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978670-006d5dfd0e384f95d3c739b59b0a74da/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603421&Signature=P8mzbz1ixCXbaKxObT4do9UgHtTxMPxOXIV5woc1tDSRgSWsbCB7BH129eX0vHgcu~ruUwXF0Ir4ufj3YaMsqP8lyb840uLCfAlY2gHFgYyQst2uKIZm11tpd~D4BjJzioPO5Gigz5lD9nhNV~7SLk2yR8jKp-4OaaUWlFafkuFJflYemwHVjFfBjtrwMynl-u3XZJkPe482vxMdAvEJP7X-rdcWOMnSz1c5ELgOGImk5q7yUt67Iw5fu21JXxxxRYUI~VAifBa1g-GZmBo7XDKDCImAWvCZUkDqaqCyX21brxzjhaKv8znnbTy3ZAwGE6NDh0p-mPjSTfjqEOCb8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lebanon County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 18 allocated the county’s remaining unencumbered hotel‑tax funds among three applicants and approved the disbursements by voice vote.
Background and approvals: county staff reported approximately $14,200 currently unencumbered in the hotel‑tax fund. Commissioners approved $5,000 to Future Stars Tournament Baseball LLC for its 2026 tournaments, $5,000 to Northern Lebanon Youth Wrestling for an invitational event they expect to draw teams from multiple states, and the remainder — $4,715 — to the Pennsylvania Chautauqua and Mount Gretna Borough to support visitor‑center staffing and promotion.
Applicants’ claims: Future Stars provided data from 2025 showing 17 tournament dates in Lebanon County, about 1,100 teams and an estimated $19,000 in Lebanon County hotel bookings tied to its events; Northern Lebanon Youth Wrestling projected 300 athletes and more than 1,000 spectators from about 21 schools across six states. Mount Gretna’s visitor center requested support for an ambassador/staffing and advertising to promote local tourism.
Why it matters: hotel‑tax grants are intended to encourage events and visitor spending that produce overnight stays. Commissioners discussed prioritizing “heads and beds” when awarding limited funds and considered geographic spillover when events draw teams from other counties.
Formal action: motions for each award were made, seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
Ending: staff said additional hotel‑tax revenue is expected soon and that commissioners sought to leave a small seed balance for future applicants.","With about $14,200 currently available, commissioners approved $5,000 for the Future Stars baseball tournament, $5,000 for a Northern Lebanon youth wrestling invitational and the remaining $4,715 for the Pennsylvania Chautauqua visitor center in Mount Gretna.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978675,"Commissioners approve $139,590 electrical change order for courthouse renovations",460,3355000,3815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233&start=3355&end=3815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233/thumbnail_3355000.jpg","/articles/5978675/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-approve-139590-electrical-change-order-for-courthouse-renovations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978675-784ba8fbe330d0adfab9b10d9a50a3ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603421&Signature=Eatdn-hPVsx-YobZo7q4PZ~bsXb-TMhNEqpErYGoIrihlvyNALe~Jy3SjM1iha08nw6B1DeLxUps60hcf~oeATDysqBuxp73aosPiYWuZP1eB5iBhnhB5J-4AT9iTQqt~TQKFb5ZV9u~GkSDqvOVMx2n~49EB3U8Y1as~yWec8iIfRqIhgzyY43BlSC050xIY2ptVEUcaG3LxUt04bJvNVZKuptdS6MPtxpzCUTCgtca0NXSj9UBCtEg7LqLhNfdt4YRXds7dVk-vBc83nek7UrESstaD~yiNkAf8ob~YETfGKivFIDbczUz0ut6DJNbW42qJsfv8mEAlj7ISHj6eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lebanon County Board of Commissioners approved a $139,590 change order Sept. 18 to finish electrical work for phase 1A of courthouse renovations, moving the phase’s estimated total to $643,811 — about $62,561 above earlier per‑square‑foot estimates.
Joe (project representative) told commissioners the general contractor, Funk Construction, submitted a change‑order add after the county requested price proposals from both Funk and the mechanical prime contractor, Shannon Smith Inc. Funk’s number included a competitively priced local electrical subcontractor and was the lowest of the two proposals the county solicited after the initial bid process produced no electrical bids.
Commissioners were told the revised phase total of $643,811 compares with a prior high estimate of about $581,250 and that the increase moves the phase’s per‑square‑foot cost toward the higher end of comparable renovation projects in neighboring counties.
Why it matters: the work reconfigures the public defender and assessment office spaces and is the start of a multi‑phase, multi‑year renovation intended to use consistent multiple prime contractors across later phases.
Formal action: the board moved, seconded and approved the change order by voice vote. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Questions from commissioners focused on the bidding process and whether both contractors had been given equal opportunity to propose; staff said both were given the specifications and both returned numbers within roughly $3,000 of each other on the electrical portion.
Ending: county staff said the project will proceed to subsequent phases with the goal of retaining consistent prime contractors to reduce mobilization costs across the multi‑year schedule.","After rebidding from prime contractors, commissioners approved a $139,590 change‑order add to complete electrical work on phase 1A of courthouse renovations, raising the phase cost about $62,561 above earlier square‑foot estimates.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978679,"County correctional facility authorized to apply for RSAT grant to offset MAT costs",287,2349000,2636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233&start=2349&end=2636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233/thumbnail_2349000.jpg","/articles/5978679/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/County-correctional-facility-authorized-to-apply-for-RSAT-grant-to-offset-MAT-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978679-04eb6a28f3d9f8420afa7cb55da9977e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603421&Signature=VLFzWduOH11RKI9~RXBZlkpLyizCzEVgOvTt5rudfirPTbFQ26GhI4agn0SfOCylFIFDP821EWP9pHmrBlGaVWhOkr4hvI7pDm6y0VfLjWXIj1ARlF5wLFf-0dso4B6GsjZnzw8TV1EXRPCn8WqzfvXrk-qlH7Jn3wtYSV5CM9XvXhFfWSOKzkRBFHOWyS2bE4Y7TaQHQsvGa4mttcw0wVT-nu1qD-otycerlIuQ9a6HbGV9O4Zhc5JKWvu0e7NMyCfepEkjvjFRnUQPVB2stChKVTgOz~xdjMJjd86rXOK0ZwF56ZFg3HeDm3tW42JwvAya-GlBKc-JllpFK-ibZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lebanon County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 18 to authorize the county jail to apply for a 2026 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program (RSAT) grant administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The county’s correctional facility presented data showing growth in its medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) program: 108 participants in 2023, 133 in 2024 and about 150 as of Sept. 5, 2025 — roughly half the facility’s population, according to the presentation. The facility reported MAT program costs of about $106,722 in 2023, $184,854 in 2024 and $194,648 through August 2025.
A county official identified as the Warden requested permission to apply. The RSAT program can award up to $200,000 per county; the county was previously awarded PCCD funds in 2021 (about $96,456) and 2024 (County Jail Based Virtual Program funds of $106,612). The RSAT award requires a 25% county match; the Warden said opioid settlement funds can meet the county match requirement.
The board approved the motion to apply by unanimous voice vote.
Why it matters: commissioners and jail staff said grant funding could substantially offset MAT costs and support continuity of care, including induction, maintenance and community handoff for participants leaving custody.
Formal action: the board approved authorization to submit the RSAT application; the motion carried with an affirmative voice vote and no recorded roll‑call tally.
Ending: the Warden said the grant, if awarded, would run from Jan. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, and would help neutralize program costs when combined with opioid settlement funds.","The Lebanon County Correctional Facility won board approval to apply for a PCCD Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) grant to support its medication‑assisted treatment program; the jail reported drug‑treatment participation and program costs rising in 2023–25.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978683,"Lebanon County officials warn children-and-youth overages will widen 2026 budget gap",1392,989000,2381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233&start=989&end=2381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810087-970bbd7c9dad760ef36487c5c762d233/thumbnail_989000.jpg","/articles/5978683/Lebanon-County/Pennsylvania/Lebanon-County-officials-warn-children-and-youth-overages-will-widen-2026-budget-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978683-48a3a320ee0b689c7702d4fd16e84f8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603421&Signature=jTnnYMxdmpWEONsAwLMeDCjEqDyK3Z5c5NdC-5o8lUpm12KT1oJcFSQkR3~KqHZiYum5PrG13cHYwVGBTGb5DM5Wp~9eRovEKizvsBX-WLfl~JeNLgdEcB~qsBo8wFDYyXL8nIs0IXv~C9ZkVXg98gofNid1WA7zZGcMgAbB4tVjDvKaZPixuSq9oOcBQHDXOdNOpDIj4akzD-AveAHEYF--gHYuguREab1Jmnibv11OKgNUKXKFU5DNRiA8UMpi2LMWFFsKgtsWbUMfBetVWWmTreRwdNfRmGNEE0oeNm3T4ZwJUvKJYEJgs3nnzDqRChfj42DCa1mPZ0KqDM2eIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lebanon County leaders approved final and implementation budgets for Children and Youth and Juvenile Probation on Sept. 18, while officials warned that overspending in juvenile probation and rising placement costs will increase the county’s 2026 budget shortfall.
Erin Moyer, administrator for Children and Youth, told the Board of Commissioners that the fiscal 2024–25 final report showed total expenditures of $15,332,605 against a certification of $13,615,725, producing an overexpenditure of $1,716,880 and raising the county share by $301,437 to $3,799,869.
Moyer said Children and Youth spent $10,733,711 (an overage of $139,572) and Juvenile Probation spent $4,589,894, which represented an overspend of $1,577,308. Commissioners approved the fiscal‑year 2024–25 final report and the fiscal‑year 2025–26 implementation budget by voice vote.
Why it matters: commissioners and department leaders said the overspend will add to the open 2026 budget. County staff estimated the combined effect of the 2025–26 implementation and the 2026–27 needs‑based request will produce a starting deficit of several million dollars for the 2026 county budget.
Moyer attributed the juvenile probation overspend to a rebound in referrals since 2024, new access to two detention beds and sharp increases in per‑diem rates for residential and detention services. Juvenile detention per‑diem costs cited during the meeting were about $800 per bed per day.
Commissioner discussion underscored two funding risks: (1) the state budget impasse that has delayed quarterly payments to counties and (2) no unconditional guarantee that the state will cover county overexpenditures in future years. Moyer told the board that historically the state has reimbursed its share of overexpenditures but cautioned there is “no unconditional guarantee” that will continue.
Formal approvals and next steps: the board approved the 2025–26 implementation budget, which the county certified at $16,302,741 and the department projects to spend about $18,283,780, producing a projected county share increase of $666,286. Commissioners also approved the fiscal‑year 2026–27 needs‑based budget request of $20,979,041 with a requested county share of $5,304,205. The board recorded the motions and approved them by unanimous voice votes.
Officials noted possible downstream consequences: the county finance staff said the combined changes could add roughly $2.1 million to the initial 2026 budget pressure and that total county deficit impacts could be larger as other departments complete their submissions. The board instructed staff to include these figures in upcoming budget work sessions.
Ending: Commissioners and Children and Youth leaders said they will continue to track referrals, placement utilization and state reimbursement trends as the county moves into formal 2026 budget deliberations.","County administrators told commissioners that overspending in juvenile probation and other children-and-youth accounts will increase the county share of next year’s budget, with commissioners approving final and implementation budgets and a larger needs-based request for 2026–27.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Election officials set absentee‑ballot dropbox schedule and OK contingency polling move for North Lebanon East

Commissioners split remaining hotel‑tax funds across three local events

Commissioners approve $139,590 electrical change order for courthouse renovations

County correctional facility authorized to apply for RSAT grant to offset MAT costs

Lebanon County officials warn children-and-youth overages will widen 2026 budget gap