The Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation and the Schuylkill County Tourism Bureau will share $171,200 from the county’s hotel tax.

The Schuylkill County commissioners voted Wednesday morning to appropriate the money to the two agencies in compliance with a county ordinance requiring the appropriation.

Paul Buber, from the county finance office, said $650,000 was expected to be collected from the hotel tax. Instead, $821,200 was collected, so the $171,200 extra had to be distributed.

The commissioners approved another budget appropriation of $200,000 that will be set aside for easements for farmland preservation. And $30,000 was appropriated for senior services.

The county’s travel policy was updated for the first time since 2008, and the commissioners voted to require employees to submit a tax exemption form and timely submit expense requests.

The meal allowance was raised by $5 per meal, to $15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch and $35 for dinner. The changes were suggested by the county controller and reviewed by human resources.

The commissioners voted to extend the agreement with Lehigh Engineering, Pottsville, to provide zoning services, and to approve Lehigh’s Ed Wenger as county zoning officer, and Ralph Hummel as assistant zoning officer. Susan Smith, the county’s director of planning and zoning, will also be an alternate zoning officer.

The commissioners also made a number of other appointments Wednesday:

• Nicholas Boyle, Walker Township; Jesse Fey, Barry Township, and Robert Lettich, Hubley Township, were reappointed to four-year terms on the county planning commission.

• Reappointed Keith Masser, Sacramento, and Eric Seitzinger, Orwigsburg, to new, five-year terms on the county airport board.

• Reappointed three people to the Office of Senior Services Advisory Board: Paul Straka, Pottsville, until the end of 2026; Melissa Burke, DMD, Pottsville, until June 30, 2026, and Marie Beauchamp, Orwigsburg, until Aug, 31, 2028.

• Reappointed Eileen Barlow, Shenandoah; Rosalind Rux, Port Carbon, and Beth Travis, Orwigsburg, to new, three-year terms on the Retired Senior Volunteer Program advisory board.

• Appointed Eric Zigmont, Pottsville, and Michelle Vasko, Orwigsburg, to the RSVP advisory board for three-year terms.