The Potter County Jail Board public meeting scheduled for noon on Friday, Jan. 9, will be held in the front conference room of the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building, accessible through the Main Street entrance. To join the meeting by phone, dial 469-998-7568. When prompted, enter conference ID 545 949 945#. Other 2026 meetings will be held on Friday at noon in the Gunzburger Building auditorium. Dates are as follows: Feb. 6, March 6, April 10, May 1, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 11, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4. Telephone access for those will be available at 814-274-0844; PIN is #114477.
Those with questions or comments about the jail are reminded that they can submit them to the board through email sent to pcjailboard@pottercountypa.net. Jail Board members are Commissioner Paul Heimel (chair), Sheriff Kevin Siska (vice chair), Commissioner Nancy Grupp (secretary), Judge Stephen Minor, Commissioner Robert Rossman and District Attorney Andy Watson. Chief Commissioners Clerk Jessica Giebel serves as administrator.
The Potter County Commissioners approved a countywide property reassessment during their Dec. 23 meeting. The multi-year project is designed to ensure that school district, municipal and county property taxes are fair and that they reflect current market conditions.
All properties within Potter County will be reviewed and reassessed. Groundwork is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The project will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2028, with the new assessed values becoming effective on Jan. 1, 2029. Current property values were established during the county’s most recent reassessment, dating back to 1976-77. Conducting a reassessment to reflect changes in market conditions over the past several decades was among the recommendations contained in the Kafferlin Strategies LLC intensive study of the county government in 2024-25.
Purpose of a reassessment is not to raise taxes, but rather to create an equitable distribution of the tax burden. An analysis of countywide reassessments conducted across Pennsylvania dating back many years suggests that roughly one-third of property owners will see a decrease in taxes, one-third will stay about the same, and one-third will see an increase.
Vision Government Solutions, Inc. has been contracted to conduct the reassessment. Vison is responsible for updating the Assessment Office’s computer software, collecting specified property data in the field, developing new Fair Market Values, calculating Act 319 preferential assessment (“Clean and Green”) values, conducting the informal reviews, and providing certified assessors to assist the county with formal appeals. To ensure full transparency, outreach efforts, including public meetings, mailed notifications, and online property information tools, will keep residents informed throughout the process. Additional information about the reassessment will be provided in the near future, including the establishment of a dedicated website with full details.
Potter County’s colorful “Liberty Bell” was unveiled on Friday at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building, where it remains on display to mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. Local artist Miriam Howe (third from left) was commissioned by the Potter County Historical Society (PCHS) to paint the 3’ by 3’ fiberglass replica of the real Liberty Bell that hangs at the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania’s America250 organization has been working with officials in all 67 counties to arrange for individual bells to be prominently displayed as a symbol of American independence and the ongoing struggle for freedom. Speaking at Friday’s ceremony were, from left, Julia Kolat, Potter County Historical Society; Commissioner Nancy Grupp; artist Miriam Howe; Cassandra Coleman, America250PA executive director; Commissioner Paul Heimel, State Senator Cris Dush and Commissioner Robert Rossman.
At the same time, PCHS has been working with students at Potter County schools who are creating single-dimension Liberty Bell replicas which depict local heritage. They will be displayed at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. Students from Northern Potter High School brought their bell to Friday’s ceremony, where they presented the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance and led the singing of “God Bless America.”
Real estate taxes in Potter County will remain at their current rate in 2026. In addition, Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel have decided not to collect the $5.00 per-capita tax that many other counties levy. Actions were finalized at the commissioners’ business meeting on Nov. 26. A copy of the county’s draft 2026 operating budget is available for public review at the commissioners administrative office in the Gunzburger Building. It calls for spending of just over $14 million, an increase of $265,000 from the current spending plan — subject to revision before final adoption later this month. Real estate taxes will remain at 24 mills. A mill is one-tenth of one percent, levied against a property’s assessed value. Because state law prohibits county governments from collecting an earned income tax, similar to the levies of townships, boroughs and school districts, property owners bear the heaviest tax burden.
Potter County Human Services (PCHS) has received numerous inquiries from individuals and families who are concerned about the potential suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that could begin for some recipients as early as Saturday. Human Services Administrator Thomas Patterson reports that the agency is working with community partners to link those in need with appropriate support as needed. Individuals with unmet needs are advised to call 211 to reach a regional resource navigator, or they can reach PCHS directly at 1-800-800-2560.
Marsha Dippold (second from left) has directed employment support services across the region for many years through Dickinson Center Inc. She accepted a copy of a Potter County proclamation recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month from Commissioners (from left) Paul Heimel, Nancy Grupp and Robert Rossman.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is being recognized in the region, thanks largely to a concerted effort by Marsha Dippold of Dickinson Center Inc. Dippold, director of employment support services (ESS) at Dickinson, said the agency has helped dozens of individuals with disabilities find employment in Cameron, Potter, Elk and McKean counties. During a presentation to the Potter County Commissioners, she reported that a record number of that county’s disabled residents have been placed in jobs through ESS over the past year.
Clients are provided with assistance through the entire job search process, from constructing resumes, practicing interview skills, and applying for jobs. The support continues after being hired until the employee, employer, and employment specialist are all confident that the job can be performed independently. Disabled individuals with full or part-time jobs take fewer medications, enjoy reduced rates of heart disease and have lower suicide rates. Employment opportunities also allow the disabled to eliminate or lessen their dependence on government assistance programs by supplementing that income with earned income.
Nationwide, the unemployment rate for the disabled is twice that of the non-disabled. “Finding work puts these individuals one step closer to independence,” Dippold said. “We need to continue to educate the community and reach out to local businesses and industry. There’s a staggering amount of untapped potential in our region.”