Lancaster County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lancaster County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Farmland preservation
Three more farms were permanently preserved in Salisbury, Penn, and Fulton Townships, but new applications dropped to just five this year versus a typical 20. Over 150 landowners are still on the waiting list.
Children and Youth placement costs surge
Commissioners renewed contracts with eight providers of specialized placements for kids in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems — and noted how hard it's become to find an open bed.
State Food Purchase Program funding for low-income residents
Nearly $758,000 in state money will fund the purchase, transport, storage, and distribution of food to low-income Lancaster County families, with Community Action Program (CAP) running the effort.
State Food Purchase Program funding for county food pantries
Community Action Partnership will keep running the State Food Purchase Program with a slightly larger $776,844 budget, helping offset rising food costs for pantries.
Big Conestoga bridge projects
Two new contracts — $113,140 for inspections and $76,800 for construction administration — move the Big Conestoga 7A and 7B bridge projects forward, paid from liquid fuels funds.
Domestic violence awareness and victim services
The county proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Local services served 2,416 adults and children last year and answered 1,428 hotline calls — and officials stressed that anyone can be affected and help is available.
Behavioral health services funding increase
The board renewed a slate of contracts for mental health and disability services, including a $318,445 federal grant providing permanent supported housing for 20 people with serious mental illness.
988 Crisis Line Funding and Public Awareness
A new contract brings certified peer specialists into the county's crisis intervention response for people in mental health emergencies, supporting mobile outreach and 988 call response.
Electricity costs rising
The county's next electricity contract could add more than $300,000 to annual utility costs, with a not-to-exceed rate of about 10.65 cents per kilowatt hour. The county is pooling buying power with Lehigh and Dauphin counties to soften the hit.