Lebanon County Commissioners on Nov. 7 approved the purchase of a new software package for the county finance department and maintain it at a cost of about $2.5 million over five years.
County administrator Jamie Wolgemuth said the new technology is for human resources and payroll and is a “big lift” for the county since the project has two components for a system that is long overdue for replacement.
“This is just the first component, the second one is just as much money but it will be in one year, so this is a big lift for the 2025 budget,” said Wolgemuth. “This is literally what we rely on to do payroll and payables and purchasing and it is going to include HR components, all manner of all of the important things that we do.”
Wolgemuth noted the last changes made to the software system that’s used on the county’s IBM mainframe computer was 25 years ago, adding “this is long overdue to get this changed out.”
Wolgemuth told LebTown after the meeting that most of the costs are upfront expenditures, meaning they will be paid in the 2025 fiscal year budget.
“This is a lot of money, and I will say in all total it will be close to $2.5 million dollars,” said Wolgemuth at the meeting. “At the risk of sounding flip, I don’t mean to do that, that is less than I expected. I really thought this was going to be a $4 million dollar implementation, so these prices are surprising to me – and that’s a good thing.”
Wolgemuth noted to commissioners that the terms for the lease of the software is spread out over five years because of the maintenance agreement, adding that the cost is not totally being paid through the county’s general fund account.
“These costs will also be shared by the agencies, so this isn’t purely a general fund cost, this gets cost out to agencies that are state-funded,” added Wolgemuth. “This is something that we don’t do often, but it is obviously a critical function to what we do. It should improve our ability to do payroll.”
In a related matter, commissioners voted to approve signing a new retirement software license agreement for the county controller’s office to administer the retirement and retiree program.
The cost for this project, whose software will work in conjunction with the new $2.5 million system, is $402,024 for the first year and $83,212 in annual fees, including updates, support, online hosting and disaster recovery services. The cost for this software package is included in the overall $2.5 million costs.
It was noted that these are allowable expenses to be paid by the county’s retirement fund, meaning no taxpayer dollars are being used to finance the software improvements.
In other business, commissioners ratified a resolution formally implementing a temporary 30-day burn ban due to drought conditions. The temporary ban is effective Oct. 27 through Nov. 26, unless it is extended or rescinded prior sooner.
Conviction fines include a financial penalty as part of a summary offense of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $300 for the third. The resolution notes that it shall be enforced by any sworn officer, including Pennsylvania State Police.
Commissioners, who were meeting for the first time in three weeks, had a loaded agenda.
In other decisions, commissioners approved provider contract amendments for fiscal year 2023-24 and others for fiscal year 2024-25 as presented by Holly Leahy, administrator of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention.
Commissioners approved two amendments for fiscal year 2023-24 totaling $673, with Leahy adding that she believes these will be the last two amendments for that fiscal year and that existing funds will be used to pay the invoices, meaning no additional taxpayer dollars are required.
For fiscal year 2024-25, Leahy provided and commissioners agreed to pay 47 invoices totaling $119,358. These invoices also will not require additional taxpayer dollars.
LebTown, which exclusively covered the opening of the county’s Jump Start housing project, asked Leahy if she would provide an update on tenants since home renovations are now complete.
Leahy said the first group of residents for this program will be female, with the county looking to place up to three women in the two-story home. The home is specifically for individuals ages 18 to 24 who are living with mental illness and/or co-occurring substance abuse.
“The Jump Start program is doing really well,” said Leahy. “The first resident will be moving in next week and another is in the referral process. We are moving along with placement of individuals in that home. “We’re very excited to begin this program.”
In two separate matters related to Human Resources, commissioners voted to enter into an agreement with RKL Virtual Management Solutions at an estimated cost of $99,000 for budget year 2025.
The Lancaster-based company will provide consulting services to perform a county employee salary study. The study will provide a comprehensive analysis of the salaries and benefits for county employees in neighboring counties of a similar size, as well as regional and national markets.
The other HR item involved the approval, by a 2-1 split vote, to provide a paid holiday to all county employees on the day after Thanksgiving, beginning in 2025. Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz voted against the proposal.
Commissioner Mike Kuhn told LebTown the decision to make this a paid holiday for county employees is to remain competitive with personnel recruitment and retention since research showed that this is a benefit provided by many other counties to their workers.
Commissioners also voted 2-1 to ratify a letter of support for Killinger Creek Stream and Restoration project in North Londonderry Township, with Commissioner Litz opposed. After the vote, it was revealed that this is a support letter for North Londonderry, and Litz said she thought it was for South Londonderry Township, which has already completed the same project in that municipality.
In other business, commissioners voted unanimously to:
- Amend a contract with Jay Fulkroad and Sons Inc. from $527,267.62 to $597,160.82 for repairs to county bridge CO-1, T-325 on Michters Road over Hammer Creek in Heidelberg Township. The contract increased by just over $70,000 due to unexpected construction issues related to the replacement of the bridge, which was built in 1889.
- Renew a five-year lease agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for rental space at the Lebanon Valley Agricultural Center. This is actually a shared lease since the Lebanon Valley Expo Center co-owns the property with county government. Lease terms are: $100,010 for 2025, $102,750 for 2026, $105,490 in 2027, $108,230 in 2028, and $110,970 for 2029.
- Enter into an additional medical assistance transportation program agreement for an additional driver with Lebanon Transit for the current fiscal year. In an unrelated matter related to the transportation program administered by Community Action Partnership on behalf of the county, commissioners voted to approve CAP’s annual report.
- Grant permission to the Lebanon County Redevelopment Authority to apply for a Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund through the state Housing and Finance Authority. The grant will be applied to the county’s senior home repair and its housing accessibility programs. It was noted that past grants were used to fund wheelchair accessible ramps and walk-in showers for those who need handicap accessibility modifications and general home repairs so that these individuals can remain in their homes.
- Pay invoices totaling $829.47 for costs associated with the America250PA initiative. These costs will be covered under a pre-approved $10,000 budget through the end of calendar year 2024 that was provided by commissioners to the committee that was convened to plan the local commemoration and celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
- Accept the resignation of Harrison Diehl Jr. from the Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick board of directors.
- Name James Tomanelli and Brent Kaylor to the Lebanon County Conservation District advisory board as district farmer directors.
- Grant real estate exemptions to five fully disabled veterans or their families.
- Approve the minutes of their Oct. 17 meeting and Oct. 31 executive session, the latter which was held to discuss personnel matters. They also approved the treasurer’s report and various personnel transactions. Following the treasurer’s report, approval was given to change the name of an employee in the prothonotary’s office with a local financial institution. Approval was given so this employee can conduct financial business with a local bank on behalf of the prothonotary’s office using their new last name.
Lebanon County Commissioners regularly scheduled monthly public meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursday in Room 207 at the county municipal building, 400 S. 8th St., Lebanon.
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