County residents will now be able to apply for a license to carry (LTC) permit online following approval by the Lycoming County commissioners this week of an agreement with Permitium LLC.

According to Sheriff Eriic Spiegel, who presented the agenda item for approval, Permitium is an online platform that residents can use on his department’s website to apply for the LTC as opposed to coming in to the Sheriff’s Office to apply.

“They still have the option to coming into the office and applying in person, but this just gives them another option to do it online,” Spiegel said.

The applications would be submitted online, the sheriff’s staff would process them and then once approved, the applicant would be called to come into the office to get their photo taken and receive their ID.

“It’s just another option for the public,” said Spiegel, who noted that his office processes about 4,000 to 5,000 LTC’S per year.

“I’ve had several public members as me and they say, ‘when are you going to get with the times and go to online processing,'” he said.

He said that he has been looking at going to the online process since he took office in January.

“I’ve talked with other sheriff’s that do it to see how successful (it is). If the residents like it or if they don’t like it and that is why I chose to keep both systems,” he said.

He noted that there is no cost for the county to utilize Permitium’s services, however there is a $5 processing fee for those applying for a permit online.

In another action, which Spiegel called, “an effort to bring our office up to the times,” the sheriff asked the commissioners to approve an agreement with Real Auction LLC, which would transfer real estate auctions held by his department, to an online platform.

“This is something ve also looked at probably the last two years. I’ve been watching Your County and Lebanon County…we’e been watching to see how it’s transforming and it seems to be really successful,” he said.

He said that he and some of his staff attended a conference recently where they met with Real Auction and were able to see the process from start to finish.

“It’s really easy. You know an individual can go on the platform, create a profile and bid on properties,” he said.

“What the counties that are actually using this now-they’re seeing an increase of property sales because you have a wider base and also an increase in the poundage for the county as well,” he said.

He noted that this service also is at no cost to the county.

In other actions, the commissioners approved: a sponsorship agreement with Williamsport Crosscutters in the amount of $2,920 for Resource Management Services, paid out of operating expenses; an agreement with Patricia Shipman, Esq. for legal services for the Public Defender’s Office at $90 per hour paid out of operating expenses; an agreement with Global Sector to assist with security details outside of the prison to be paid through operating expenses; an amendment to an agreement with Intrinsic Intervention for urinalysis testing cups at the Prison paid through operating expenses; a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Geisinger Medical Center’s Police Department regarding the use of a radio frequency at no cost to the county; an amendment to the 2024 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement agreement with the American Rescue Workers to extend their Rental Assistance Program through July; participation in the New National Opioids Six Remnant Defendants Settlement; MOU with Penn State University on behalf of Lycoming County Penn State Extension at no cost to the county; and a Deed of Dedication for the County Farm Road to become a public county road, which would make it eligible for liquid fuels funding.

The commissioners voted to rescind the lease agreement with Danko Holding for a property at 435 Hepburn St. at a cost of $1,974 a month. The commissioners indicated that they believe they have found an alternate location to be announced at a later date, which would be at no cost. The site would have been used for central processing for the District Attorney’s Office.

The following appointments to the Local Emergency Planning Committee were approved: Gordon Bennett, Kelsey Green, Kevin Maloney, Forest Rothchild, Robert Brown, Tracey Harer, Scott Jennings, Kohl Knopp, Dean Miller, Charles O’Brien, Dustin Williams, and Todd Winder.

Under personnel, the board approved: Haley Wilde as a part-time West Nile Virus technician at the Conservation District at $17.52 per hour; Gillian McLean, full-time Licensed Practical Nurse at the Prison, $30 per hour; and Marcus Tapper and Kyle Cochran, full-time correctional officers at the Prison, union positions, at $20 per hour.

Acting as the Salary Board, Commissioners Scott Metzger, Marc Sortman and Mark Mussina, along with Controller Nikki Gottschall voted to add a full-time collection enforcement officer in the Adult Probation Office which will be funded through a Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Metzger noted that this was needed so that the county could begin collecting the $49 million in costs and fines owed.

The commissioners, acting as the board of assessment revisions approved a real estate refund of $82.40 to George and Marilyn Bidelspacher due to a house being destroyed by fire. They also approved several real estate exonerations for various reasons.

The next commissioners’ meeting will be at 10 a.m., May 7 in the Commissioners’ Board Room, 3rd floor, Third Street Plaza, 33 W. Third St.