Update On Commissioners’ Operational Improvements
Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel have provided their September monthly update on a series of Operational Improvement Initiatives that were announced late last year.
1– Information Technology Upgrade
Goals: Improve functionality and security.
- Assessment of current technological resources – servers, computers, software.
- Security review – firewalls, employee education.
- Document retention – shared drives/backups.
- Training/employee education – ongoing.
- Continuing review of best practices.
CURRENT STATUS: Completed
2 — Risk Management at Potter County Jail
Goal: In partnership with the Potter County Jail Board, retain the Pa. Counties Risk Pool (PCoRP) to conduct a comprehensive risk management review of the county jail and develop a plan to implement recommendations.
- Engage an expert to study operations, facilities, policies and procedures and pinpoint areas that might increase the risk of litigation or other adverse outcomes at the jail.
- Refer findings to a committee of the Jail Board to prepare recommendations for full board.
- Continuing review of best practices.
CURRENT STATUS: Implementation of recommendations/best practices pending.
3 — Grant Writing/Administration
Goal: To make Potter County more competitive in qualifying for federal, state and foundational grants; to coordinate pursuit of grants with county departments and agencies, local governments, community organizations, regional agencies and other stakeholders.
- Develop a strategic plan that will incorporate specialized training, an assessment of internal resources, and the development of partnerships.
- Pursue grants to support county government and countywide initiatives, with potential to expand to grant-writing assistance to boroughs, townships and businesses.
- Affiliation with professional grant-writing organizations, Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission/Grant Assistance Division, and other resources.
CURRENT STATUS: In progress.
4 — Short- and Long-Term Financial/Operational Management Planning
Goal: Engage with the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development to qualify for DCED’s Strategic Management Planning Program and implement consultants’ recommendations.
- Create short- and long-term financial plans (budgeting, capital projects planning, overall efficiency and opportunities for improvements).
- Review each department’s operations and needs.
- Establish system to measure results/progress through scheduled periodic review.
CURRENT STATUS: DCED grant approved; implementation pending.
5 — Update of Human Resources Policies
Goal: Engage a PCoRP risk management specialist to review county personnel policies and a broad spectrum of related issues.
CURRENT STATUS: Review has been completed and draft findings submitted by consultant for review and implementation by county administration.
6—Strategic Economic and Community Development.
Goal: Better coordination, communication and unified long-term planning to implement high-priority strategies identified in the Potter County Comprehensive Plan 2020-2029.
- Fill Community Development Coordinator vacancy and combine County Community Development and Planning/GIS Departments for shared administrative resources and day-to-day coordination (completed)
- Application to Pa. Dept. of Economic and Community Development for Countywide Economic Revitalization Implementation Plan (application submitted).
- Outreach to Potter County Redevelopment Authority, townships/boroughs, community organizations, regional agencies and other potential partners/stakeholders.
- Engagement with Pa. Economic Development Assn., National Rural Action Caucus, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, agencies dedicated to supporting agriculture/forest management, travel and tourism, manufacturing and other economic drivers.
CURRENT STATUS: In progress.
