Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday finalized an increase in the hotel room rental tax from 3 percent to 5 percent.

The increase, effective July 1, will help fund the county's contribution to a $1.4 million fire training center on Firemens Road just outside Frackville and boost economic development.Commissioners in August pledged up to $500,000 over 10 years for the center.The county since 2002 has imposed a 3 percent tax on rooms rented by hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfast establishments and other overnight accommodations.County Finance Director Paul E. Buber said the 3 percent levy generated $281,419 last year.The increase, he said, is expected to boost the total revenue to about $469,000.That money will be divvied up among the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, which would continue to get 3 percent; the county Economic Development Corporation, and the fire training center.In other matters, the commissioners also approved a lease with Pottsville 108 LLC for office space occupied by Schuylkill County Mental Health/Developmental Services and the Drug and Alcohol program.The lease is for five years beginning July 15, and expires on July 14, 2022. The monthly rent for the first year is $5,370 for 4,378 square feet, or $14.72 per square foot.But at the request of Commissioner Gary J. Hess, the board included a 90-day "opt out" clause that allows the county to terminate the contract with three months' notice.The reason is that commissioners are refurbishing the Human Services building at 410 N. Centre St.Children & Youth Services in January moved into its new quarters at 324 N. Centre St., and the commissioners want the Mental Health/Development and Drug & Alcohol programs to move into the vacated space to save money.