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.
Sheriff's Office software and policy-management contracts
The DA's victim-witness office will get a $7,000 texting service so crime victims get faster updates on their cases — grant-funded now, no new budget burden later.
Workforce Development Board funding and partnership agreement
The county renewed its agreement with the Workforce Development Board, which channels federal dollars to job seekers and businesses in Lancaster County. The board's $1.27 million operating budget for next year got the green light with a small 1.34% increase.
Senior and Human Services Agreements
A batch of agreements keeps county services running: Office of Aging programs at Spooky Nook Sports, Meals on Wheels delivery in the Mount Joy area, Children and Youth and Juvenile Probation renewals, and a behavioral health MOU with the Lancaster/Lebanon LICC.
SERT Team Equipment Grant Application
The county applied for a nearly $479,000 state grant to buy a vehicle for its emergency response (SERT) team — bringing outside money in for county safety.
Next Generation Farm Loans
Two young farm couples got county-backed low-cost loans totaling about $1.36 million to buy their first farms — keeping farmland in production and in local hands.
Senior services funding
County seniors get the 2027 Senior Games at Spooky Nook and slightly pricier Meals on Wheels deliveries — a quarter more per meal, paid from state grant funds.
Agricultural Conservation Easements
Three farms totaling about 126 acres in Penn, Drumore and Salisbury townships would be permanently preserved under Resolution 69, funded mostly by state money. This keeps the land in farming forever and adds to contiguous blocks of already-preserved farms.
Employee ownership in the local economy
The county celebrated its 27-plus employee-owned businesses, and Tandem Center director Drew Mousetis described how ownership helped him buy a home — with a new state Office of Employee Ownership just approved in Harrisburg.
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.
Tourism growth in Lancaster County
The Office of Aging renewed its deal with Spooky Nook Sports to host the Senior Games in early May 2027, capped at $55,000 — the same max as last year, funded by state block grants and donations.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority appointment
Kyle Moore was appointed to fill a resignation-created vacancy on the Housing/Redevelopment/Land Bank authorities, with Yoder abstaining for more review time. Quorum problems at recent meetings made this time-sensitive, and a second seat opens later this year with Brooke Hall in the mix.
Abandoned bridge structure ownership cleanup in Martic Township
A quitclaim deed and bill of sale formally sorts out who owns two abandoned bridge structures left over from a 2017 bridge removal project, now that Martic Township vacated the road.
Sheriff's Office software and policy contracts
The sheriff's office relies on AchieveIt for project tracking and Lexipol for keeping its policy manual current with state accreditation standards. Both contracts were renewed, though the sheriff said they may drop AchieveIt next year if another county tool can do the job.
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.
Quitclaim of abandoned Pequea Creek bridge structures
The county is cleaning up ownership of leftover piers and abutments from a bridge removed years ago, confirming they went to adjacent property owners when Martic Township vacated the road.
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.
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.
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.
Bulk fuel and fleet card contract
The county locked in three-year deals for bulk fuel delivery (with new fleet card services) and insurance brokerage services — the insurance deal costs $456,999, a 10.79% bump.
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.
Homeless data system coordination
A no-cost two-year agreement keeps the county connected to the regional system that tracks and coordinates services for people experiencing homelessness.
Fire prevention and battery safety awareness
Commissioners proclaimed National Fire Prevention Week, and fire chiefs urged residents to charge devices safely — this year's theme — and keep working smoke detectors. Cooking remains the top cause of home fires.
Buchmiller Park improvements
The county added $32,500 to RETTEW's contract to finish design work on a bigger parking lot, new bathrooms, a new playground, and a public sewer connection at Buchmiller Park.
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.
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.