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

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.