County Commissioners learn treasurer Neuin to retire next month after 21 years

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

For over 21 years, Lebanon County treasurer Sallie Neuin’s monthly financial reports have been first on the agenda at monthly County Commissioners’ meetings.

September 2025 will be her last.

The news could easily have been missed at the commissioners’ Thursday, Aug. 7 meeting, since it came as one of many announcements in county human resources director Michelle Snavely’s routine review of recent personnel actions, resignations, and terminations. Commissioners passed a motion approving Neuin’s retirement “with regret.”

Asked by commissioner Mike Kuhn if she had any remarks, Neuin replied, “Well, no. I guess it’s just time for me to retire, and I just decided to do that. I mean, it was an honor to serve as Lebanon County treasurer for almost 22 years. So, I’ll probably miss it, but I think it’s time.”

Kuhn thanked Neuin for her service and wished her well. Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz remarked that she’d known Neuin since before she became treasurer.

Neuin reported that, through Aug. 6, the county had $1,493,990.20 on hand.

Richland recreational upgrade

Richland Borough Council president Kelly Bricker thanked commissioners for Marcellus Shale grants totaling $26,000, which the borough used to help revitalize its main recreational facility, the Dr. E.O. Moehlmann Field.

Bricker said Richland’s playgrounds and recreational facilities had deteriorated over the years from age and hard use. “We had a lot of drainage issues and just old breaking down equipment. Honestly there was very few children who came to the park.”

Richland worked with York-based YSM Landscape Architects to redesign the park. It features a new pavilion, pickleball courts, cornhole boards, a walking trail, new playground equipment, and ADA access and parking.

Pickleball, especially, is a hit. “I can’t believe the amount of people that play pickleball,” Bricker said. “People wait an hour or so to get on those pickleball courts. There are are people sitting there waiting until the other people are done.”

The new park’s grand opening was May 31, according to Bricker. “There had to be 250 residents who showed up and it was amazing. It was like it was like Christmas morning. There’s a picture of probably 100 kids just running in the park. I have goosebumps because I can still picture it.”

Other money for the project came from local residents and businesses, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and American Rescue Plan Act funds. Bricker said the total project cost about $1 million.

Agape Safe Haven plans

At the commissioners’ workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 6, Lebanon Rescue Mission executive director Susan Blouch briefed commissioners on her organization’s ambitious building plan to meet “an unprecedented increase in demand” for safe shelter, especially for homeless families and senior citizens.

The Rescue Mission has outgrown its current Agape Shelter for women with children, operated for the last 40 years at 9th and Walnut streets in Lebanon.

“We’re not meeting the need for women and children in Lebanon County who are experiencing homelessness,” Blouch said. “In addition to that, there’s been an unprecedented need for homeless services for seniors. Often 30 to 45% of those that we are serving each night are over the age of 65.”

Blouch reported that “45% of our beds are filled by women and men over the age of 65. They’re receiving assistance not just with their bed and their meals, but they’re getting assistance to complete housing applications, medical appointments, transportation, social security applications and or benefits challenges.

“The Lebanon Rescue Mission has in essence become an assisted living facility.”

To meet the need, the Rescue Mission bought land in late 2024 at 1250-1310 Bittner Blvd. in the northwest part of the city. There, it plans to build the Agape Safe Haven to serve women with children and homeless seniors. The 25,000-square-foot, 49-room building will have features geared toward clients over the age of 60, tripling the Rescue Mission’s capacity.

Blouch says her organization would like to break ground early next year and move in by the second quarter of 2027.

Blouch said the Rescue Mission is asking the county for financial help for the first time ever. “For 80 years, the Lebanon Rescue Mission has been funded by the generosity of our community. We do not receive local, state, or federal funding,” she said. While her timeline doesn’t show an immediate need for funds from the county, “we’re hoping for something in the neighborhood of $750,000. That’s what we could really use to support our overall funding plan.”

Commissioners took the matter under consideration.

Other business

• Commissioners approved the county Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Department’s 2025-26 Human Services Plan and several contract amendments for 2024-25 and 2025-26
• Domestic Relations Department director Michael Anderson introduced a proclamation declaring August Child Support Awareness Month.
• Bureau of Elections and Voter Registration director Sean Drasher received commission approval to apply for an Election Integrity Grant Program grant for fiscal year 2026. The EIGP program is administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development and funds capital investments relating to elections. Drasher says the county expects to receive $478,784.
• Department of Emergency Services director Bob Dowd got commission approval for a three-year renewal of a contract with MCM Consulting to manage the county’s 911 system. The cost will be $74,250, spread over three years.
• The commissioners approved a request by 1st Assistant District Attorney Brian Deiderick to apply for two grants designed to help crime victims in 2026. If both are approved, the D.A. will receive $111,927.
• Danielle Hogg, director of Information Technology Services, received commission approval for a $113,960 increase in a financial software upgrade contract with technology company Intellias.
• Commissioners awarded a $999,499 contract to low bidder Construction Master Services for construction of Phase 10A of the LV Rail trail, including a bridge over the old canal towpath.

Lebanon County Commissioners meet the first and third Thursdays of the month in room 207 of the Lebanon County municipal building, 400 S. 8th St., Lebanon at 9:30 a.m.