South Whitehall commissioners approved fee increases Jan. 7 for several professional consultants appointed to serve the township. Fees were not increased in 2014.

The township engineering firm, The Pidcock Company, was granted a 3.6-percent increase, which amounts to 1.8 percent per year for 2014 and 2015.

Engineer Ralph Russek Jr. reports the firm has experienced increased business costs, particularly relating to health insurance, which went up 14 percent last year and is anticipated to rise 28.8 percent this year.

Russek said the fee increase totals $1,656 for the township general engineering budget of $46,000 in 2015.

Hourly rates include $115 for the principal of the firm, $93 for a senior engineer, and senior architect, $77 for a project engineer, $50 for an engineering technician, $57 for a land surveyor, $110 for a senior field engineer, $50 for an observer, $32 for an administrative assistant, and $23 for computer aided design and electronic survey equipment.

Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor Maria Mullane will be paid $130 per hour for non-litigation service, including attendance at meetings, research and preparation of zoning opinions and decisions.

Mullane's litigation rate will be $150 per hour for professional services, such as attendance at court, performance of legal research, and preparation of legal material relating to matters pending in court.

Hanover Engineering, approved as the alternate geotechnical engineer, was granted a 2-percent increase in fees.

The hourly rate for an engineer, planner or landscape architect is $98.50. A geologist is paid $97 and a surveyor $89.50.

The fee for a three-person survey crew with equipment and truck is $167.

Work by a secretarial employee or word processor costs $35 per hour.

Lawrence B. Fox Esq., was reappointed special solicitor at a rate of $125 per hour. He provides legal representation when the township solicitor recuses himself.

Fox was also reappointed as tax appeal hearing officer for 2015.