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Lebanon County Commissioners unanimously agreed Thursday, July 16, to provide a letter of support for a federal highway grant that’s designed to reduce motor vehicle accidents in the Lebanon Valley.
In a short meeting, commissioners also took two actions concerning several contracts held by the Lebanon County Department of Aging with its providers.
Center for Traffic Safety
The letter of support will be sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the center’s grant application through the York County Board of Commissioners. It was stated at the meeting that Lebanon County has partnered with York County on this initiative over the years.
County administrator Jamie Wolgemuth said the grant is for a one-year federal fiscal community traffic safety project agreement for federal fiscal year 2027. The current grant was for 2023 through 2026 and expires this year.
The grant used to run three years, but Wolgemuth told LebTown after the meeting that the grant has been switched to an annual award. He also noted the center is based in York County and operates in Lebanon County to collect traffic data.
Here is a recent report listing the activities conducted by the center on behalf of Lebanon County as provided by county officials to LebTown:
Area Agency on Aging
AAA requested amendments to two contracts for agencies that provide services to Lebanon County residents.
Adrian Layser, AAA administrator, said the first contract is for fiscal year 2025-26 and is with Elder Care East. The budget of $71,328 was revised to $93,445, a $22,117 increase. The increase will be paid through the agency’s existing budget, meaning it will not require additional taxpayer dollars.
The second amendment is with Nutrition Group, which delivers Meals on Wheels to residents on an annual basis. The contract was amended due to a requested increase from a previously presented contract on June 18 for fiscal year 2026-27.
“That was just a 2.5% increase that was approved prior. After meeting with the Nutrition Group and discussing their increases, we decided to end up doing a 3.9% increase to the contract for fiscal year ’26-27, and that’s due to the CPI (consumer price index),” Layser said. “And also the cost increases of food and gas over the last couple of years.”
It is an increase of $5,844 for fiscal year 2627 budget, she added.
Wolgemuth asked if there was a typical 2.5% annual increase or if it is tied to the CPI every year.
“They do end up bringing that up every year based on the CPI, but we also end up looking at what the aging program directive is that comes from the state, which is actually 4.5% as to what we could end up giving our contractors this year,” Layser replied.
Wolgemuth also asked if 4.5% is the allowable maximum amount.
“Yes, by the state for our contractor providers. So with it being a 3.9% increase, it’s not up to the full amount of what we could end up increasing their rate to,” Layser said. “So rather than 2.5, we’re doing 3.9.”
Other business
In other business, commissioners voted unanimously to:
- Accept the treasurer’s report, including a beginning cash balance of $3,824,056.70, plus receipts of $2,113,299.48, for a total cash balance of $5,937,356.18, less expenditures of $3,562,799.80 and a tax claim of $127,781.81, leaving a cash balance of $2,246,774.57.
- Pay two invoices totaling $1,963.75 to Breckert Illustrated Shirts of Annville for red and blue shirts created for the America 250th celebration in Lebanon County.
- Provide real estate tax exemptions to six veterans or their families.
- Issue a proclamation honoring the 125th anniversary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lebanon Lodge #631. They will have a celebration to commemorate the occasion.
- Grant various personnel transactions.
- Approve the minutes of their July 2 meeting as well as an executive session on the same date to discuss personnel matters.
Next meeting
Lebanon County Commissioners meet the first and third Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in Room 207 of the county municipal building, 400 S. 8th St., Lebanon.
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