Potter County Today

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.