Mayor announces planning commission and TCC appointments; explains role of committees

Mayor Sherry Alcapello informed the council of two administrative appointments: Eric Ellis was nominated to the Lebanon City Planning Commission for a term effective 04/20/2026 through 07/26/2029; Alcapello said Ellis, a business-development specialist with a commercial driving school, will represent Region 2 (north of Maple Street). The mayor described the planning commission as a seven-member advisory body that reviews land use, subdivision and development matters.

Alcapello also said she would appoint the finance officer and the director of administration (Janelle Grohl) as the representative and alternate, respectively, to the Lebanon County Tax Collection Committee (TCC), effective 04/21/2026. She explained the TCC oversees earned-income tax collection and distribution under Pennsylvania Act 32 and includes representation from school districts and local municipalities; the mayor said Lebanon City has historically received a substantial distribution and that appointments are coordinated with West Lebanon Township where appropriate.

Councilors thanked the mayor for filling the planning commission vacancy; one asked what would happen if the city could not fill a regional seat and the mayor explained the Municipal Planning Code requires a planning commission but does not mandate regional divisions and noted two at-large seats provide flexibility.

What happens next: The appointments are effective as stated in the mayor's communications; the planning commission will continue its advisory role and the TCC representative will attend quarterly meetings.