Lycoming County commissioners approved an amendment Thursday to raise the zoning ordinance partnership fee by roughly 29.92%, a percentage county staff said reflects higher operating costs since the fee was last adjusted.

County staff said costs for program delivery have grown — citing fuel prices up 30–40 percent and vehicle insurance increases of 40–50 percent — and noted higher benefit and pay costs for zoning staff. The proposed increase applies to the 19 municipalities that receive county zoning services and was presented as a budgeted, necessary adjustment to sustain services.

A county speaker summarized the request as "approximately 30% increase, boils down to 29.92% for each municipality," and commissioners moved to approve the amendment. The board approved the change by motion; no municipality-specific cost breakdowns were provided in the meeting record.

Commissioners and staff framed the change as necessary to maintain the level of service the county provides to participating municipalities. Staff said the amendment will be reflected in next year’s billing and budget documents.