County certifies $368,071 for farmland preservation matching funds; waiting list unchanged

The Lebanon County Board of Commissioners voted to certify $368,071 in local funds to be matched by the state for the county Farmland Preservation Program.

Craig Zamudis, representing the Lebanon County Conservation District, presented the funding summary and noted township donations, Act 13 funds and general-fund increases that together brought the total to $368,071 to be matched by state farmland preservation funds. Zamudis said the program currently has about 15 properties on the waiting list, though interest is growing and that number could increase.

When asked about the typical leverage, Zamudis said he used a historical average for the state match and estimated a 1.3:1 match (roughly $1.30 of state funding for each local dollar). The board approved certification of the county funds by motion and second with no recorded opposition.

Zamudis thanked the commissioners for continued general‑fund support and noted the county’s long-term donors helped reduce the size of the waiting list in prior years. He said a large prior donation had reduced the waiting list but that increased interest may bring more applicants in future cycles.