County authorities, boards, committees, councils, and commissions are an established feature of municipal governments which offers citizens an extraordinary opportunity to participate in a county’s government affairs. Their activities have helped to shape or influence public policy in many areas.

In Lycoming County there are seven authorities and seven boards which citizens can volunteer to serve on. In a general sense, authorities have power to give orders and enforce rules and charge fees for services, whereas a board serves primarily in an oversight position. Another difference between a board and authority is on an authority, the members are subject to the provisions of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Act that require members to file a “Statement of Financial Interest.” Board members are not required to sign these documents.

The listing of these organizations are found in the county government’s website, lyco.org. On the left side of the home page, “Authorities and Boards,” is the first listing. Hitting on this brings up the seven Lycoming County Authorities; County, Industrial Development, Housing, Recreation, SEDA-COG Joint Rail, Water and Sewer, and Williamsport Municipal Airport. It also lists the seven Lycoming County Boards; Agricultural Land Preservation, Assessment Appeal, Conservation, Planning Commission, Human Services Advisory, Library System and Zoning Hearing.

Currently there are three that have vacancies in the Authorities; the County Authority, the Industrial-Development Authority, and the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority, and on one board, the Zoning Hearing Board.

The County Authority serves as a conduit for qualified non-profit corporations in Lycoming County for tax-exempt financing. Some of the financing involves public bond issues. The Industrial-Development Authority is authorized to enter into agreements for the purchase, construction and financing of industrial, commercial and specialized development projects. The Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority is tasked with the ownership and overall operation of the Williamsport Regional Airport which is an important part of the transportation infrastructure of the county. The Zoning Hearing Board is tasked with enforcing the PA Municipal Planning Code to provide for a rational and orderly pattern of land use, preserving and protecting the County’s natural resources, creating an environment that is reasonably safe from floods and other dangers, and stabilizing the property values of land and buildings.

Those interested in applying for one of these four vacancies can do so by clicking on one that shows ‘vacancy’ which brings up the on-line questionnaire. This will ask standard questions about employment history, education and/or training, as well as previous volunteer experience or any special skills that applicant may possess.

The county commissioners select members for these openings based on the qualifications of the applicants. It should also be understood that many positions on these panels are restricted to certain specified categories of eligible appointees.

To make the ABC’s work, the “A’s” (Authorities) and the “B’s” (Boards) need a “C,” which is citizens, who are willing to devote their time, energy, and expertise, to serve their county for these very critical organizations. If you are interested, check out lyco.org.