Potter County Today

Potter County Commissioners are looking into revisions to the current ordinance that offers tax incentives for construction or expansion of commercial properties. Under the county’s ordinance, qualifying property owners can receive a 100-percent abatement of county real estate taxes in year one, 80 percent in year two, 60 percent in year three, 40 percent in year four, and 20 percent in year five.

A 1977 state law, the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) Act, authorizes the tax incentive program to support business expansion and job retention/creation. The ordinance applies only to the county portion of real estate taxes. However, school districts, boroughs and townships can also offer the incentives.

Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel are now considering revisions to the county LERTA ordinance that would make certain residential property improvements eligible for the temporary tax reductions. Among those who support the expansion are the North Central Penn Board of Realtors and the Northeastern Potter Economic Development Association.

Potter County townships, boroughs and certain non-profit organizations are now eligible for financial support to help with recovery from damages incurred from the remnants of Hurricane Debby on Aug. 9-10. They can receive reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for expenses related to debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the restoration and mitigation of disaster-damaged facilities. Local municipal officials have expressed growing concerns about the potential for additional flooding in the event of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, due to infrastructure damage that they have not yet been able to address.

FEMA said that, in general, townships or boroughs are eligible for work conducted on infrastructure that they own or have legal responsibility for maintaining. Private non-profit organizations could qualify for funding if they provide educational, utility, emergency, medical, or custodial care, including for senior citizens or individuals with disabilities, and other essential social-type services to the public.

All applicants are required to register for a mandatory online FEMA applicant briefing. They are scheduled for 9:30 am or 2 pm on Monday, Nov. 18; 10:30 am or 2 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 19; or 6 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 20. More information is available from Jonathan Skripka at 717-651-2157.

For additional information on the Public Assistance Program, click here. Requests must be submitted through FEMA’s Public Assistance Grants Portal; available here. Potter County Department of Emergency Services continues to assist those who have been affected, providing additional information or referrals at 814-274-8900.

Meanwhile, the deadline has passed for individual assistance applications. However, in rare cases involving extraordinary circumstances, FEMA may be able to accommodate late requests. Additional information is available at 1-800-621-3362, online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or through the FEMA App on a phone. FEMA has been able to pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs caused by the disaster, including:

• essential items such as water, food, medical supplies, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items and fuel.
• rental assistance for hotel stays, stays with family and friends, or other options.
• repair or replacement of vehicles, appliances, room furnishings, computers, books, uniforms, tools, and other items required for school or work.
• moving and storage fees, medical expenses and child care.

Finally, U.S. Small Business Administration advises that businesses and other property owners in Potter, Tioga, Lycoming and Union counties may be eligible for both physical and economic injury disaster loans. More information is available at 1-800-659-2955.

A window of opportunity has opened in Potter County to get help from a national program to address needs such as affordable housing, public health and safety, infrastructure improvements and others. Aidan Bobik, representing AmeriCorps, spoke at the Oct. 31 Potter County Commissioners’ meeting about services that are available from now through September 2025.

Bobik, who is headquartered in Ridgway, noted that community and economic development and housing are his top priorities as the AmeriCorps regional coordinator. AmeriCorps can provide organizations with funding, resources, and people power to help address community needs. These can take the form of:

• grants to support the placement of AmeriCorps members and volunteers to deliver services.
• assistance to identify and address community needs in areas such as education, health, housing, public safety, infrastructure improvements, expanded access to broadband and community/economic development.
• support to implement strategies to address those needs.
• assistance to strengthen volunteer management and recruitment.

AmeriCorps has recently expanded its support of economic development and employment. Members often work with local organizations on job training programs to help people acquire the skills needed to secure stable employment. They also support local government economic revitalization efforts. AmeriCorps VISTA members specifically focus on alleviating poverty by working to strengthen organizations that serve low-income individuals.

More details are available from Bobik at 814-773-3162, ext. 3016.

Individuals and households in Potter County who suffered property damage or loss in early August due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby are now eligible for additional assistance. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds have been released to pay for mitigation measures to prevent future flood losses. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration may now increase an approved disaster loan by 20 percent of the verified loss for any mitigation improvements made by business owners.

Homeowners who suffer losses from a presidentially-declared disaster and apply for FEMA assistance will be informed if they qualify for Home Repair Assistance that provides for:

• Elevating a water heater or furnace to avoid future flood damage.
• Elevating or moving an electrical panel to avoid flood damage.

More information on mitigation techniques can be found in a FEMA brochure, “Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards.” (https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/fema-mitigation-ideas_02-13-2013.pdf ) The brochure covers hazards from drought and earthquake to flood and wildfire.

Those taking mitigation measures are reminded that they may have to acquire township/borough permits and meet local codes and professional standards.

(Reprinted with permission from Endeavor News).

A long-time Potter County employee has come up with a plan to rescue the failing “town clock” atop the historic courthouse. Maintenance director Joe Kurtz (right) recently received the county commissioners’ green light to move forward. He also found a way to reduce the county’s cost to a modest $10,000 – a small price to install a timepiece that will likely perform reliably for a century or more. In recent years, a patchwork of repairs have been made to the ancient clockwork that moves the four long arms to mark time on four separate clock faces. However, its time has passed. Kurtz credited long-time caretaker Ed Thompson for selflessly donating his services to maintain the clock. He followed in the footsteps of David Hauber, Willard Hauber, Bill Roberts and others. Kurtz and Thompson weighed multiple options before recommending to the commissioners that they spring for a motorized gearbox and controller, along with new driveshafts, gears, hands and center glass. Total project cost is estimated at $26,000, but Kurtz has secured a $16,000 grant to cushion the financial blow

(Above: This large and complex clockwork that has controlled the four-panel timepiece will be on display at the Potter County Historical Society museum in 2018, a crew from Fiske Associates of Erie used its massive lift to rehabilitate the clock tower and steeple at the Potter County Courthouse. Below: This large and complex clockwork that has controlled the four-panel timepiece will be on display at the Potter County Historical Society museum.)

Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel have continued to move forward on one of their most far-reaching County Government Improvement Initiatives: Short- and Long-Term Financial/Operational Management Planning. A public meeting was held recently at the Gunzburger Building to share initial findings by a consulting firm, Kafferlin Strategies of Warren County.

Last year, the commissioners qualified for a grant from the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development to implement DCED’s Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP) in Potter County. Kafferlin was subsequently contracted 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 (above) presented their initial findings on Oct. 3. Next step is to incorporate input from county officials and the public into their report for final review and adoption by the Board of Commissioners. During the Oct. 3 session, Terri Cunkle, DCED’s local government policy specialist, said that the department offers grants to implement many of the improvements that are recommended in completed STMP programs.

Other elements of the Potter County Government Improvement Initiatives are:

Information Technology Upgrade

Goals: Improve functionality and security.

• Assess current technological resources – servers, computers, software.
• Review security/risk – firewalls, employee education.
• Document retention improvements.
• Training/employee education – ongoing.
• Continuing review of best practices.

STATUS: Completed

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 (completed).
• Refer findings to the Jail Board to prepare recommendations for full board (completed).
• Continuing review of best practices (in progress).

STATUS:  Deputy Warden hired, as recommended. Implementation of other recommendations/best practices continuing.

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 in order to pursue grants to support county government and countywide initiatives, with potential to expand to grant-writing assistance to boroughs, townships, businesses and nonprofits.
• Affiliation with professional grant-writing organizations, Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission/Grant Assistance Division, and other resources.

STATUS: In progress.

Update of Human Resources Policies

Goal: Engage a PCoRP risk management specialist to review county personnel policies and a broad spectrum of related issues.

STATUS: Review has been completed and findings submitted by consultant. Being implemented by county administration.

Strategic Economic and Community Development/”Revitalize Potter County”

Goal: Coordination, communication and unified long-term planning to implement high-priority community/economic development strategies identified in the Potter County Comprehensive Plan 2020-2029 to address population loss and youth outmigration.

• Fill Community Development Coordinator vacancy and combine County Community Development and Planning/GIS Departments for shared administrative resources and day-to-day coordination as directed by the Board of Commissioners (completed).
• Application to Pa. Council on the Arts for a multi-year Creative Communities for Community and Economic Development Grant (approved; Potter County Creative Council, a/k/a PC3, incorporated).
• Application to Pa. Dept. of Economic and Community Development for Countywide Economic Revitalization Implementation Plan (application submitted).
• Development of a Site Promotion Program for Business and Economic Growth (committee formed; work in progress).
• Outreach to Potter County Redevelopment Authority, townships/boroughs, community organizations, regional agencies, employers and other potential partners/stakeholders.
• Engagement with Pa. Economic Development Assn. and other agencies dedicated to supporting agriculture/forest management, travel and tourism, manufacturing, retail and other economic drivers.
• Review options for restoration of Potter County Industrial Development Authority (being researched).

Improvement of 911 Emergency Communications System

Goals: Inspection of county 911 emergency communications towers/infrastructure to ensure reliable 24/7 coverage; assistance to local fire, ambulance, police and other public safety agencies; improved communications with local emergency service providers.

• Contract with MCM Consulting Group Inc. to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the county’s emergency communications system and develop a technical plan for any recommended enhancements (completed).
• Inspect county’s public safety radio communications infrastructure (towers/supplemental power sources/other infrastructure) and review dispatching services (completed).
• Review radios, repeaters and other equipment being used by local and regional emergency response agencies to ensure compatibility and functionality with the county’s infrastructure (completed).
• Solicit input from fire, ambulance and police agencies on their needs (completed).
• Review county staffing/support services (completed)
• Assessment and implementation of consultant recommendations (in progress).