LINKED IN Jo Ellen Litz

A letter from Jo Ellen                                 Tornado Coverage 7/14/04

Having served four years in county government, I have a heightened respect for the work ethic of Lebanon County employees who are to be commended for their professionalism, hours of dedication and commitment to serve the families of Lebanon County. 

There was a great cooperation among Supervisors, Mayors, and Council members too.

We live in a great community.  I received a precious gift--the chance to serve as a Lebanon County Commissioner, then receive the approval of over 7,000 voters--priceless.  Thank you.

Second Term:  It takes three commissioners with varied backgrounds and opinions to run a county.  Before it was fashionable, I worked to make government transparent by providing a web site, newsletter, and weekly email alerts with timely county information. 

With full-time leadership and experience, Jo Ellen Litz, puts People Above Politics by Taking Action, Getting Results--Whether it's saving you over $1.5 million, preserving your voting precinct, or improving your quality of life, Litz watches your tax dollars as if they were her own. 

 Results (approximate)—Litz initiatives (in red) saved:

1. $800,000+ by picking a solvent company to supply voting machines;

2. $521,000 by refinancing the 1999 Bond issue from 5.09 to 3.46%;

3. $160,000 upfront + $50,000 on transportation costs annually + prison and theft costs & New Revenue in future rents on a methadone clinic;

4. $75,000 annually with Social Services administered in-house (+ future rent);

5. $41,500+ a New Furnace by putting Honeywell energy audits on track without turning off the lights;

6. $24,800 in refunds due the County;

7. $22,500 in 2006 by obtaining a contract for 2005 audit services (will save more for the next two years);

8. $16,000+$300 monthly income from realtors in New Revenue by moving GIS mapping forward;

9. $16,000 annually with Safety Committee Certification—reduced insurance premiums;

10. Distributed Community Resource Manuals:  --------How do you put a price on planning & safety?

11. Retained City voting districts:  --------------------------Our right to vote is priceless.

12. Saved the Bordner cabin:  --------------------------------Our heritage is priceless.

13. Preserved farms:  Open space value continues to rise & farms serve as a source of food, water recharge,                 & energy.  By the end of 2007, 126 farms occupying 13,485.2 acres should be preserved.

14. Put Habitat houses back on the tax roles:  --New Annual Revenue for the City, County, & schools

15. After a court approved adjustment for 2005: --No County tax increase for 2 years

“Do what’s right. Know right from wrong. And pursue with steadiness what is right.  Be honest.   Do your duty. “  Thomas Jefferson.

First Term: 

CONSERVATION/PRESERVATION/OPEN SPACE:

    Preserved numerous farms, including vote to preserve County Farm

    Governor Dick

    Union Canal Tunnel Park

    Rails to Trails

    Rivers Conservation Plan

    Drought Task Force

    Green Community

TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS:

    Geographic Information System started

    Cellular Phone & insurance contracts consolidated for $ savings

    Personal computers for office staff

    Y2K readiness completed

    Honeywell contract completed saving both energy and money

    CareerLink Site at Job Center opened allowing job & career searches on-line

    Personal Web page on County Government

OTHER THRIFTY ACTIONS:

    Prisoners share in the cost of their upkeep--work release, trustee jobs, or daily charges--also medical and dental co-pay

    Expand electronic monitoring to relieve prison "over-crowding"

    Elimination of Personal Property Tax

    Held line on real estate taxes three years running

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

    Airport study begun to expand Fort Indiantown Gap to accommodate small jet craft and open for civilian use

    Keystone Opportunity Zones in the City of Lebanon to recycle old industrial and commercial sites, thus saving farmland

    Tax Increment Financing to expand business and employment opportunities while improving infrastructure

    Release steel foundry from the repository for remediation

COURT-RELATED ISSUES

    Fourth judgeship position created to relieve backlog

    Court House expanded to alleviate crowding & accommodate courts

    Three employees transferred to state payroll

So this website offers useful information, if you don't see something you are looking for, let me know by mailing to Litz@mbcomp.com , and perhaps it will become a new feature.   Finally, please feel free to suggest corrections.

Respectfully,

Jo Ellen Litz

Ps.  In an effort to provide credible public information, wherever possible, department brochures and reports are quoted and/or paraphrased throughout this web site.   However, polices and prices change.  Therefore, always verify information with the department.

Capitol Centennial Parade

       Posted on or about 9/1/98.  Last edited 12/07/03.  

                               In the center of the Swatara Watershed is Lebanon, a safe rural community located immediately east of Hershey, north of Lancaster, west of Reading, and south of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania.  The Swatara Watershed is host to small towns like Mount Gretna; historical landmarks like the Cornwall Iron Furnace and Union Canal Tunnel; State Game Lands for hunting and fishing; the Swatara Creek for canoeing; campgrounds; community parks; golf courses; bed and breakfast inns; thousands of farms, some Amish; Hershey Park, Hershey chocolate factory, Hershey gardens, zoo, the Giant theater; and a National Cemetery at Fort Indiantown Gap.