Potter County Emergency Services Department reports that all eligible fire and emergency response organizations in the county successfully completed applications for state grants to help with expenses related to construction or renovation, purchase or repair of equipment, training, and debt reduction. Grants of $15,000 were awarded to the following ambulance associations: Austin, Coudersport, Gale Hose of Galeton, Genesee, Roulette, Shinglehouse, and Tri-Town of Ulysses. Kettle Creek Ambulance of Cross Fork received $4,133. Firefighting organization grants were $12,018 for Genesee, Germania and Kettle Creek of Cross Fork; $12,664 for Goodyear Hose of Galeton and Shinglehouse; Austin, $13,310; Coudersport, $15,461; Harrison Township $13,740; Roulette $12,879; and Tri-Town of Ulysses, $13,309.
Potter County Tax Assessment Office has added more than $1.3 million to the county’s tax base over the past 12 months, due in large part to Chief Assessor Jacob Ostrom’s field work to locate and document new construction and property improvements. The increase in assessed value of $1.3 million computes to another $7.6 million in market value being recorded. The county’s real estate tax base is now $362.7 million (assessed value), which reflects an approximate market value of nearly $2.1 billion. That does not take into account the more than 40 percent of real estate that is tax-exempt, due to ownership by the state or other exemptions. As a result of the field work, school district, municipal and county real estate taxes will yield additional revenue to the respective government bodies.
This year’s increase was lessened from those of recent years due to multiple factors, ranging from building demolition and disabled veterans’ tax exemption to destruction from the remnants of Hurricane Debby last August and a larger amount of acreage being enrolled in the state-mandated “Clean and Green” program, which reduces tax assessments on farmland, forest land, pastures and other open space.
Ostrom’s job grew harder several years ago when the state legislature eliminated the position of township and borough tax assessor. In prior years, these elected officials were responsible for finding and reporting new construction and improvements. Today, the Assessment Office relies primarily on building permit records and visual inspections to update tax records.
An announcement by UPMC that it plans to discontinue providing childbirth services at UPMC Cole effective April 7 has triggered an outcry across Potter, Cameron and McKean counties. UPMC points out that expanded women’s health services – prenatal, postnatal and specialty – will be available at the Coudersport facility, but childbirth delivery services are being centralized at UPMC Soldiers and Sailors in Wellsboro. The Potter County Commissioners have engaged with state lawmakers and other stakeholders to discuss options for persuading UPMC management to reconsider its decision. These discussions are ongoing. Potter County has also offered to host a meeting with UPMC representatives, state officials, and commissioners from Cameron, McKean and Potter counties to further explore options. Updates will be posted as more information becomes available.
Potter County is joining in on the “America250” celebration, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.
Two local organizations – the Potter County Historical Society (PCHS) and the Allegewi Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution – are already engaged. DAR members have placed displays in the PCHS Museum and the Eliot Ness Museum. In May, they will place wreaths at the sites of the 11 Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Potter County. Wreaths will remain in place through July 2026.
DAR members are also holding two special events to which the public is invited. On July 3, 2025, they will hold a memorial service at the Lymansville Cemetery in honor of the Revolutionary War soldiers. Plans will culminate with a rededication of the David Zeisberger monument at the courthouse square July 3, 2026.
Local volunteers are working with the statewide organization, America250PA, to coordinate Potter County’s observance. A call for volunteers and details on additional events/activities will be released in the coming weeks.
Dozens of public offices that have a major impact on life in Potter County will be filled during the 2025 election cycle. Positions on school boards, borough councils, boards of township supervisors and many other influential offices will appear on ballots. Registered Republicans and Democrats will choose their nominees during the Primary Election on May 20. Those who are nominated will appear on the Municipal Election ballot for all registered voters on Nov. 4. A list of all offices on the May 20 Republican and Democratic ballots can be found here. General information on elections and voting is posted on a state-operated website, votespa.com.
Here are some important dates for the May 20 Primary Election:
- March 11— last day to circulate and file nominating petitions
- May 5— last day to register, change party affiliation or report change of address
- May 13— last day to apply for mail-in or civilian absentee ballot
- May 20 (Election Day)– last day for county boards of elections to receive absentee or civilian mail-in ballots (by 8 pm)
Those with questions about petition circulation and the election process can contact the Potter County Elections and Voter Registration Office at 814-274-8467.
Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel have received the findings and recommendations from a consulting firm, Kafferlin Strategies of Warren County, contracted by the county last year to study county operations under the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Strategic Management Planning Program. Much of the funding came from DCED. Kafferlin was chosen from among multiple applicants to:
- Review county fiscal management, administration, operations, policies and staffing.
- Create short- and long-term financial plans and issue recommendations related to budgeting, capital projects, overall efficiency, risk management and opportunities for improvements.
Kafferlin Strategies partners Ben Kafferlin and Lisa Hagberg (below) presented their initial findings in early October. Input they received was incorporated into the final document, which was adopted by the commissioners at their Jan. 23 meeting. A copy of the plan will be posted on the county website. The commissioners plan to review the findings and develop a strategy and timetable for implementation. They are also working with a local government policy specialist at DCED to pursue additional funding.
