League of Women Voters--Know Your County

Lebanon is one of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. The County was created on February 16, 1813, from parts of Dauphin and Lancaster Counties and named for Old Lebanon Township. Lebanon is a Biblical name meaning "white mountain". It is classified as a fifth class county because the total county population is more than 95,000 but less than 150,000. The basic structure of county government follows the Constitution of Pennsylvania as Lebanon has not adopted a home rule charter.

The County serves as an agent of the state for law enforcement, judicial administration, and the conduct of elections. Lebanon is further responsible for the property assessment function. The County is also involved with regional planning, solid waste disposal, public health, housing and redevelopment, and Legislative and administrative direction and authority are vested in three elected county commissioners. The county commissioners serve four-year, concurrent terms. In the primary election each political party nominates two candidates, which ensures that at least one of the three elected is a member of a minority party.

The Commissioners are responsible for the preparation, adoption, and execution of the County's budget. They also administer the County Home, Cedar Haven, and the Municipal Building. The Commissioners act as the County Board of Elections to conduct, control and supervise elections.

County offices are located in the Municipal Building, Eighth and Oak Streets, in the City of Lebanon. The Commissioners meet every Thursday at 9:00 am. in Room 207 of the Municipal Building. On the first and third Wednesday of each month, the Commissioners meet at 9:30 a.m. at Cedar Haven, 590 South Fifth Avenue, Lebanon. These meetings are open to the public under the provisions of the Sunshine Act, Act 84.

The county government has jurisdiction over: registering voters; conducting elections; recording deeds; probating wills; issuing marriage licenses; assessing real estate; collecting delinquent taxes on real estate; maintaining county bridges; selecting jurors; and administering justice through the county courts. Further responsibilities include operation of the Lebanon County Home and the county prison; caring for dependent and delinquent children; maintaining the county park and veterans' burial plots; investigating crime and prosecuting criminal cases; investigating sudden and suspicious deaths; assisting war veterans; inspecting scales and measuring devices; and issuing dog, hunting and fishing licenses.

At the present time, there are four classes of cities in the Commonwealth. The General Assembly has enacted legislation for each class that sets forth the governmental structure of city government. These codes also define the general and specific powers of the city.

Lebanon, which is the county seat, was laid out in 1750. First incorporated as a borough on March 28, 1799, the citizens did not accept incorporation. Lebanon was finally chartered as a borough on February 20, 1821 and as a city in 1885.

Lebanon is one of 50 third class cities in Pennsylvania. Effective January 1, 1994, the citizens of the City of Lebanon adopted and established a home rule charter and created a structure of government which will best serve to foster the future of the community and its residents.

Only qualified voters shall be elected to the office of Council Member. There are five members nominated and elected at large throughout the city. They shall serve for a term of four years. The salary is $1,200.

The executive branch of City Government shall be vested in and administered by an elected official known as the mayor. This person shall be the chief executive and administrative official of the city and the official head of the city government. The mayor shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the city. Their term of office is four years. The salary is $37,000.

There were 967 boroughs in Pennsylvania as of 1987. They derive their basic powers from the Borough Code which is established by the General Assembly. The structure of borough government is the weak mayor form which was used by all incorporated municipalities during the 19th century. Boroughs may exercise the option of adopting an ordinance for a council manager form of government.

In borough governments without a manager, there is no single administrative head. The council is dominant with legislative and administrative authority and responsibility. The powers of council are broad and extensive to address the range of service functions provided by the borough. The mayor is not a member of the council and can only vote in a matter before the council to break a tie.

Council members are elected for four-year overlapping terms to provide for continuity in borough policies and procedures. The mayor is elected for a four-year term.

Boroughs that are divided into wards have at least one, and not more than two council members, who are elected from each ward. In boroughs that are not divided into wards, seven council members are elected at large ... except Mt. Gretna that has five council members due to a local referendum.

Other elected officers of the borough are the tax collector, the tax assessor, and the auditors. These offices have powers that are independent of the council. Other officers appointed by council to carry out the work of the borough include: manager, engineer, secretary, treasurer and solicitor.

Council decisions are made in the form of ordinances and resolutions that must be passed by the majority of the council members voting and signed by the mayor. A majority in council can override a veto by the mayor. In boroughs with managers, the council appointed manager performs the administrative responsibilities of the council, often with the assistance of council members acting as a committee. In boroughs without a manager, council members usually work in committees to direct borough activities

There are 7 boroughs in Lebanon County: Cleona, Cornwall, Jonestown, Mt. Gretna, Myerstown, Palmyra and Richland.

Borough councils meet monthly to transact business. These meetings are open to the public under Act 84, the Sunshine Act.

For further information concerning the names of elected officials, meeting dates, times and places, pick up a current Legislative Directory for Lebanon County, published by the League of Women Voters of Lebanon County, at your nearest public building (post office, library, etc.)

Pennsylvania has two classes of townships. These classes are based on Population. First class townships require a population density of at least 300 persons per square mile. All townships not designated as first class townships are considered second class townships.

Classification as a first class township is not mandatory. Many townships that meet the population density requirement have remained second class town ships. Voters must approve the change to a first class township in a referendum.

The major responsibilities of first and second class townships are: the protection of persons and property; the maintenance and improvement of township streets and roads; and the provision of community services such as recreation and parks.

There are two first class townships in Lebanon County -- Annville and West Lebanon. There are sixteen-second class townships. These are: Bethel; East Hanover; Heidelberg; Jackson; Millcreek; North Annville; North Cornwall; North Lebanon; North Londonderry; South Annville; South Lebanon; South Londonderry; Swatara; Union; and West Cornwall.

First class townships have a commission form of government, electing from five to fifteen commissioners with four-year overlapping terms. Annville and West Lebanon each have five elected commissioners.

Legislative and administrative authority and responsibility rest with these commissioners. The commissioners are able to appoint a manager to carry out the administrative work of the township. Other important appointive positions are those of the engineer, secretary and solicitor, among others.

Other elected township officials for first class townships include the tax assessor, three auditors or controllers and a treasurer.

Second class townships are governed by three supervisors who are elected at large. Two additional supervisors may be elected if approved by referendum. All supervisors are elected for six-year terms. As with first class townships, administrative and legislative authority rests with the supervisors. The super visors may appoint a manager to carry out the administrative work of the town ship, much of which deals with maintenance and roads. Other important appointive positions in a second class township are the solicitor; engineer; superintendent or road master; police officers; building inspector; and zoning, planning, park and recreation boards or commissions. Other elected offices for second class townships are the tax assessor, tax collector and three auditors. For current names and addresses of these officials, a Public Officials Directory is available in the Lebanon County Planning Department for $5.00.

Township commissioners and supervisors meet at least once a month to transact business before the township. All meetings are open to the public under the Sunshine Act, Act 84.