Potter County Today

Lower payments from the Pa. Act 13 shale gas-drilling “impact fee” have many county and local governments facing financial crunches as they enter the second half of the budget/calendar year. Payments from the tax are based on 2024 gas drilling and production reports. Potter County’s allotment is $189,107, down from $210,000 last year, and $364,000 in 2023.

Township/borough payments are also lower. With 2024 figures in paratheses, the leading recipients will be: Sweden $45,886 ($52,300); Ulysses Twp. $43,188 ($49,200); West Branch $34,525 ($36,500); Summit $24,451 ($27,900); Eulalia $21,327 ($24,300); Hector $12,502 ($8,478); Coudersport $12,111 ($13,650); Clara $12,089 ($13,800);  Wharton $11,758 ($13,400); Pleasant Valley $11,696 ($13,308); Keating $11,666 ($13,250); Harrison $11,118 ($12,505); Allegany $8,031 ($9,096); Sharon $7,726 ($8,705); Hebron $7,151 ($8,054); and Roulette $6,869 ($7,743).

While all counties receive a percentage of the annual impact fee revenues, distribution is weighted toward the counties and local governments that host development. Totals fluctuate annually, as the amount is based on factors including number of wells drilled, age of each well and prices.

County and local governments can use the money for preservation and reclamation of water supplies; improvements to roads and bridges; construction and repair of water and sewer systems; delivery of social services; local tax reduction; housing; conservation districts; emergency preparedness and flood plain management.

Many Potter County townships and boroughs are facing serious challenges in meeting new stormwater management regulations. Commissioner Nancy Grupp reports that help is on the way for local government leaders. The county will be hosting a three-day training session at the Gunzburger Building Oct. 21-23. Further information is available online at train.org/pa. Comm. Grupp explained that Erb Inspections Inc. of Lawrenceville, which provides stormwater management for approximately 40 townships and boroughs in Potter and Tioga counties, will discontinue its services effective Dec. 31. Affected municipalities must appoint a new flood plain manager and have that person trained before Jan. 1.

Devastation inflicted by remnants of Hurricane Debby last August and other high-water emergencies spawned new regulations to protect vulnerable low-lying properties. Local governments are required to meet the standards in their own stormwater management infrastructure. They also must regulate development within designated flood hazard areas. New construction and development there is generally prohibited or highly restricted. Lowest floors must be elevated. Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, or other development, are not permitted unless they can be shown to not increase flood levels. Development proposals within floodplains often require hydrologic and hydraulic analysis to assess the potential impact on flood levels.

Townships and boroughs must require permits and must conduct inspections to ensure compliance. They can also take enforcement actions if violations are found. Pa. Emergency Management Agency will be auditing compliance. Townships and boroughs found to be in violation could lose their eligibility for federally subsidized flood insurance.

The Potter County Commissioners have contracted with Corrections Consultants LLC of Lebanon County to conduct an assessment of the jail. It will include a site visit; interviews with jail management and staff; discussions with those engaged in criminal justice, law enforcement and county management/fiscal operations; data analysis; review of best practices from other counties that might benefit Potter County, and other research. Recommendations could include (but are not limited to):

• cost-savings options
• changes in space/staffing utilization
• changes in policies and practices
• changes to, or addition of, services.

Public meetings of the Potter County Jail Board are typically held at noon on the first Friday of each month at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building Auditorium. Telephone access is available at 814-274-0844; PIN is #114477. Next public meeting is scheduled for noon on Friday, July 11. Those with questions or comments about the jail are reminded that they can submit them through email sent to pcjailboard@pottercountypa.net. Jail Board members are Commissioner Paul Heimel (chair), Sheriff Kevin Siska (vice chair), Commissioner Nancy Grupp (secretary), Commissioner Robert Rossman, Judge Stephen Minor and District Attorney Andy Watson. Chief Commissioners Clerk Jessica Giebel serves as administrator.