Meeting Highlights

Votes taken by the Lebanon County Commissioners 2006:  Redistricting    Liaison Assignments   10,000 Acres Preserved 

2:40 iVontronic voting machine lesson    General Election Ballot

December 28, 2006

Brett Lentz introduced Jeffrey and Teresa Zechman for presentation of a check for the conservation easement to place their 115.37-acre South Londonderry Township farm into preservation.

After being duly advertised, Ordinance 33 passed joining Lebanon County with six other counties to form a Northern County Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperative.  During 2007, there will be no increase in health insurance.  The purchasing "pool" will help to insulate Lebanon County from “shock” claims of more than $50,000.

Robert Mettley presented recommendations for the Retirement Board, including:

Wanting to reassure employees and the public that the County pension fund is sound, Commissioner Litz stated that:

¨      Lebanon County has a fiscally responsible retirement plan that is comparable to what a business offers.  

¨      We do not try to compete with the State retirement plan.  It’s what we can afford.  

¨      Everything we do is at an open meeting during one of our regular commissioner’s meetings.  

¨      Our records are open for public inspection.  

¨      Our employees contribute up to 7% of their pay.  

¨      All employees, including the commissioners, are on the same plan.

¨      It takes five years to be vested in the plan.  

¨      Lebanon County’s pension plan is decent, but not exorbitant.

After a twenty-day public review process, Commissioners adopted the 2007 budget with no tax increase.  The total budget of $88,157,373 includes State and federal funds and a $31,167,650 General Fund ($17,961,257 from real estate taxes).  In 2006, due to new legislation, the County paid constables $29,000 over budget.

Commissioners approved an Application for County Aid for bridge maintenance contracts.  This includes an encumbered allocation of $160,000 for next year.

December 20, 2006

Cedar Haven:

Prison Board:

Census is 563—499 males and 64 females; 205 unsentenced inmates; 105 on work release; 49 State sentenced inmates; 33 incarcerated on parole violations; 33 on domestic bench warrants/sentences; and 15 inmates are in other counties on writs.

CRC made a presentation on administering methadone to inmates who were receiving treatment prior to incarceration.  A policy decision will be made next month.

December 21, 2006

Regular Commissioner’s meeting:

Metropolitan Planning Organization:

Assessment Appeals:  Commissioners heard one commercial appeal.

December 14, 2006

Recognizing the demands placed upon row officers, former Treasurer Diane Rhoads voiced her support for the new salary structure. 

Because of a vacant secretary position in the public defender’s office, commissioners voted to compensate Myrna Garcia for overtime, which totals 6 to 10 hours.

Commissioner’s also increased the starting rate of pay for correctional officers to $11.05 per hour.

Clyde Flickinger and Mike Burke, with Big Brothers Big Sisters, presented commissioners with Bowl for Kids Sake t-shirts.  March 24 at Cedar Lanes, the 2007 Bowl will encompass the entire facility.  Lane sponsorships are $250.  Sponsor logos appear on the t-shirt awarded annually to participants.

To secure services as the County’s agent through 2011, on behalf of Lebanon County Christian Ministries, Troy Williams presented the Emergency Food Assistance Program contract for commissioner’s signatures.  670 families at three sites—250 S 7^th Street in Lebanon, St. Paul’s UCC in Schaefferstown, and Trinity UMC at 98 Fisher Avenue in Lickdale—received one bag of government surplus food like peanut butter or cheese

monthly.  Eligibility is based upon income guidelines like a maximum annual salary of $14700 for an individual, $19800 for a husband and wife, and $24900 for a family of three.  For more information, call 272-4400.  The LCCM also runs an emergency food program, emergency prescription program, and emergency utility assistance program for people in need.  Food drives also support LCCM—350,000 pounds from businesses, 53,000 from a Boy Scout drive, and 10,000 pounds from a Post Office drive.  Twenty Thanksgiving and thirty Christmas dinners are distributed.  245 families are registered in the food bank, and 110 free meals are provided daily.

Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority presented a request for an IRS required Certificate of Approval supporting their $13 million refinancing of nine multi-family housing properties including Walnut Manor in Jonestown.  Support does not create an obligation with respect to the payment of the bonds, jeopardize Lebanon’s bond rating, or increase our debt load.

Appointments to the Children and Youth board include:  Mark Hess, Keith Shields, Edgar Werner, Sue Werner, Kim Miller, and Glen Essler.

November 7, 2007

Elaine Ludwig provided HAVA grant reports covering accessibility, materials and signs for signatures.

Commissioners approved the first reading of the $88,157,373 - 2007 budget, which reflects 15.5 mills—no tax increase.

Brett Lentz presented the 115.37-acre Jeffrey & /Teresa Zechman Farm located in South Londonderry Township for a farmland preservation right-to-be-heard hearing.  The value of the conservation easement is $1590 per acre.

Commissioners approved Ordinance #33, which authorizes Lebanon County to join the intergovernmental Northern County Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperative for a three-year term.  Other counties in the cooperative include:  Clinton, Clearfield, McKean, Susquehanna, and Tioga—all 6^th class counties—as well as Schuylkill, which is a 4^th class county.

By resolution, Lebanon County Emergency Management is authorized to connect and monitor alarm systems within Lebanon County utilizing an alarm device connection agreement set at $80 per circuit and $150 per year.

Commissioners will meet Monday, December 11, 2005 at 6:45PM in the Commissioners’ office, room 207 of the Municipal Building to set the salaries for elected officials who take office in 2008.  By a previous board of commissioners, the Register of Wills, Sheriff, and Jury Commissioner salaries were approved for a 6% increase in 2007, 3.5% for 2008, and 3.5% for 2009.

November 29,2006

To help decide how the County's $1.39 million State allocation should be spent, from 10:30AM until 5PM, Commissioners listened to nineteen Growing Greener applicants.  Rails-to-Trails, Governor Dick, the Union Canal Tunnel Park, Fountain Park in Schaefferstown, sewage systems, camps, schools, an Historic hiking and biking trail,... all outlined their needs or visions for improving the environment or recreation in Lebanon County.  The largest request, $725,000, came from the Conservation District to preserve farmland.  A discussion ensued whether or not to increase the $1500 allocation per acre.

November 22, 2006

Commissioners met at the Governor Dick Nature Center in Mt. Gretna.  Trustees Ray Bender and Chuck Allwein greeted everyone.

Upon the request of Gary Robson, Commissioners adopted a revised Sexual Harassment policy, which was reviewed by the solicitor, our insurance company, and the unions.

In addition to the Treasurer’s report, Sally Neuin presented a Records Management Plan for approval.  The vote was unanimous to adopt a resolution in accordance with Act 8-98 concerning fees collected by the Recorder of Deeds and administered by the County Commissioners.

Because parts are no long available for repair, Commissioners discussed an upgrade to the existing telephone system at the courthouse.  Ken Bachem received a firm bid of $38,000, which is split 70/30 between the County and City.  The City will be approached to discuss a plan for their portion.  The County will take one-half from this year’s budget and one-half in 2007.  This is possible due to on-call or on-demand repairs verses a service contract for what has been deemed an obsolete system.

Former Commissioner Ed Arnold requested consideration of an increase in the per acre payment for the farmland preservation program.  Lebanon currently pays farmers $1500 per acre, and any appraised value over that sum may be able to be used as a tax write-off.  Farmers should consult their accountants for details.  Commissioner Litz promised to provide a comparison of counties throughout the Commonwealth.  The document was distributed at the County Commissioner’s Association of PA Energy, Environment, and Land Use committee meeting at the conference in Hershey this past week.  Even though we could be considered a smaller county, with 95 farms and 11,464 acres, Lebanon places 7th in the State for their farmland preservation program.

Commissioner Stohler addressed a question concerning Clean and Green.

November 15, 2006

Cedar Haven:

Prison Board:

Census:  564

34 State Sentenced Inmates; 222 Unsentenced Inmates; 113 on Work Release; 23 on detail.

November 16, 2006

Regular Meeting:

Commissioners met with the Records Improvement Committee.  Treasurer Sallie Neuin presented a Record Improvement Plan for review.  Sheriff DeLeo, Register of Wills Resanovich, and Prothonotary Arnold were also present.  A final plan for approval will be presented at next week’s Commissioner’s meeting.

Jim Holtry and Karen Alonzo received approval on Children and Youth invoices: 

The original Waiver Program started in July 1999 to provide in-home community based services to consumers who were determined medical assistance eligible for a nursing home. 

Drug and Alcohol’s Sue Klarsh and Mental Retardation’s Brenda Mettley provided $56,273 in Supportive Concepts for Families contracts for approval.  A client moved from Berks to Lebanon County, and his dollars followed him.  \

A contract renewal between the five Counties (through an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement, and HealthAssurance HealthAmerica for the HealthChoices Behavioral Health Program was proved.  Seven other counties in the State have duplicated this program.

Program Manager Mark Tesh, salesman Jim McGee, and engineer Brian Munsen from MA/Com met with Commissioners to provide an update on the EMA Radio System upgrade.  Sighting a good performance, MA/Com stated that Lebanon is the first, or one of the first, county(ies) in the State to complete interoperability with the State system.  They stated that fire fighters have not yet received their radios, only policemen.  Since Annville lies in a “low spot,” Lebanon Valley College is being contacted for permission to place a tower on the third floor addition near the White Oak Street and Route 422 intersection.  Other areas where service was predicted to be light includes the second mountain around Cold Spring as well as Cornwall and Millcreek, which are surrounded by mountains.

When inside a building, twelve frequencies are available.  The 3-watt radios must be set to talk-around-mode and utilize a chief at a command point outside of the building to relay calls for more equipment….

Leather cases and software upgrades are included at no charge on the radios.  To tweak the radios, input from users will help to identify spots that need filled in.  Using the "tweak method" will help to keep costs for hardware to a minimum.  Put another way, rather than over-building hardware, human input from the field will raise the element of trust with the system.  To guarantee 100% coverage, it would have been cost prohibitive to place a tower every one-tenth mile.

Election Board:

Voter Registration Chief Elaine Ludwig and Sharon Long said that no outcomes of elections changed due to adjustments in the vote count.  Yesterday, the minority inspector and judge of elections from Jackson West reconvened with Elaine and Sharon to recount the paper ballots.  Three sets of votes need added together for a final tally—from the first machines that worked for an hour; from the paper ballots; and from the replacement machines that went live around 4PM.

Assessment Appeals Board:

Commissioners heard one appeal, a trailer.

November 9, 2006

A five-year EMA union contract was signed with 20 telecommunicators represented by Tom Newman and Robert Snyder and the Chocolate Workers union, Dennis Bomberger.  To more fairly compensate dispatchers, the starting rate of pay will go from $10.44 to $11.34 per hour.  Increases will occur at the percentage of 6/7/4/4/4 over the five-year period ending in 2009.  A $200 individual and $400 family medical deductible and $10/$25 prescription deductible will also be implemented. 

Members of the Wellness Committee consisting of Deb Harchuska, Mary Ann Reppert, Jennifer Moehlman, and Shem Heller received a proclamation for the 30^th Anniversary of the Great American Smoke Out.  The team is encouraging smokers who want to quit smoking to turn in their cigarettes for the day.  In return they will receive a “Quit Bag” from Lebanon Family Health and a chance to win a dinner gift certificate to a local smoke-free restaurant.

Archie and Mike Battistelli and Steven Greenhut presented a 3^rd quarter update on retirement investments.  Fund balance is $88,100,000.  In a global economy, a small portion of the portfolio extends to the International market when American companies expand overseas or local companies like Bayer and Schott Pharmaceutical are owned by foreign companies.

On a Stohler/Carpenter motion, $5306.25 was cut from the Conservation District budget.  Stating that Stan Alekna and Mr. Nolte, president of Spring Hill Acres Association, attended the Conservation District meeting where they agreed to a 15% service charge, which was also agreed upon and later confirmed by Cornwall Borough Council President Carl Hilton, Litz voted against the motion.  With 1294 acres and paying for almost half of the spraying, Cornwall Borough is the largest of eight impacted municipalities.

As prescribed by law, and assisted by Election Bureau staff--Elaine Ludwig, Sharon, Joan, and Jo Ellen, the Commissioners sat as the Election Board to complete computations on Friday, November 10 at 9AM.  Two percent of precincts needed a complete review.  Write-ins were counted.

NOTE:  Due to the THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, the Commissioners meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at the Clarence Schock Memorial Park at the Governor Dick Environmental Center beginning at 9:30 a.m.

November 2, 2006

Phyllis Holtry presented a Homeless Assistance Program pre-expenditure budget amendment of $3864 from the Department of Welfare, which was used to increase rental assistance in the amount of $3478 and administration fees in the amount of $386.  Further, Commissioners approved $147,838 in Community Services Block Grant contracts; $103,876 in Supported Engagement/Supported Work; $54,000 in Supportive Housing; $114,725 in Homeless Assistance; and Medical Assistance Transportation Program grants based on time spent in the program.  Finally, Commissioners signed a $276,000 contract with Philhaven.

Susan Klarsch, Carol Davies, and Melissa Heisey received approval for an Advanced Treatment Systems contract amendment allowing monthly billing on a fiscal rather than calendar year basis.

Warden Bob Karnes accompanied Linda D. Witters, who is retiring as a correctional officer from the County prison after 25 years of service.  Linda received a resolution and congratulations from Commissioners.

Commissioners singed a union agreement that will expire December 31, 2009 with Teamsters 429 covering sixty court-related employees in the Sheriff’s, Public Defenders, and Prothonotary’s offices.

Commissioner Stohler moved, and Commissioner Carpenter seconded, a motion to notify the Conservation District that their County funding is at risk should they charge a fee to administer the gypsy moth spraying program for municipalities.  Because prior to today’s meeting, the District was in negotiations with townships to correct the 15% proposal, Commissioner Litz called the vote premature.  The motion passed with Commissioner Litz voting against the action.  Using Commissioner Stohler’s reasoning of not charging for services, the County should not charge DPW a 10% administrative fee for the Homeless Assistance program (above)….  Similarly, County departments charge a fee to administer sewage and building inspections, GIS….  (Editorial comment:  To single out the Conservation District for punitive punishment seems both harsh and unfair.)

The State’s charge for gypsy moth spraying is $25 per acre.  If federal funds are awarded, refunds will reduce both the municipal and County shares.  In fact, the State does not charge Conservation Districts with the “duty” to administer the gypsy moth program.  Other departments or a private firm can be hired to perform the task of going into the field to identify and count gypsy moth sacs, send out notices, collect and remit fees….  Past practice in Lebanon County is that the District administers the program for a 15% fee to cover mileage, office space, insurance, audits, stamps and stationary,…, which was previously based on $7.50/acre.  Admittedly, staff discovered a math error, which was already in the process of being corrected.  Tonight, at their regularly scheduled 8PM meeting, the District is prepared to discuss the issue. (The corrected payment schedule follows.)