The Carbon Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation is accepting applications for the hotel tax disbursement program, Marlyn Kissner, executive director of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, told county commissioners Thursday.

Applications can be dropped off at the chamber office. Application forms can be downloaded from the organization’s website at www.carboncountychamber.org.

Click on the heading, “chamber” and select “hotel tax” from the drop down menu.

The applications must be received by Dec. 1.

“This was the program previously known as the grant program,” Kissner said.

The disbursements are used to promote tourism in the county, said Commissioner William J. O’Gurek.

In other matters, the county retirement Board listened as Sarah E.R. Wilson, vice president of Marquette Associates spoke about national and international economic trends and how they are impacting the county’s investment portfolio.

Wilson also suggested some changes that could maximize the county’s returns on its investments.

Other business

The commissioners also voted on the following items:

• Accepted a $30,164.12 donation to the county animal shelter from the estate of Emma C. Rehrig.

• Authorized the publication of a Nov. 27 meeting of the county election board for the casting of lots for candidates in various municipal offices who were tied in the Nov. 7 general election.

• Appointed Joseph Guardiani of Nesquehoning to a three-year term on the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol Commission.

• Renewed a three-year contract, at $99.95 a month, with PenTeleData for internet access via cable modem for the communications center.

• Renewed a three-year contract, at $124.95 a month, with PenTeleData for internet access via cable modem for the county network.

The cost was reduced from $139.95 a month. There is also an additional new charge of $14.95 a month for Static IP Block.

• Approved an agreement between the commissioners and the state department of Community and Economic Development for $684,016 in block grant funding from Oct. 18, 2017 through Oct. 17, 2022.

• Approved a $13,039.91 proposal from Reynolds Business Systems, Allentown, for a Datum Mobil Trak3 storage system for the district attorney’s office.

• Approved a $12,997 contract with FiberTel Inc., Plymouth, Luzerne County, to connect cable to each of the 56 cameras and two monitor locations being installed in the courthouse.