Potter County Today

Joe Kurtz (right) and his assistants Kevin Coates (left) and Dan Foster are known informally in county circles as the “A-Team.” Evolution of the Maintenance Department to a skilled labor team has saved Potter County hundreds of thousands of dollars while improving working conditions and preserving historic buildings.

A trio of Potter County employees have earned national recognition with a 2025 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties. Maintenance Supervisor Joe Kurtz and assistants Kevin Coates and Dan Foster qualified for the award based on innovation and excellence that have saved the county hundreds of thousands of dollars while improving working conditions. “The awards program shines a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments,” said NACo President James Gore. “Potter County’s example of excellence will be held up as a model for other rural counties across the nation to follow.”

Seeds for the success were planted in 2021 when the commissioners authorized Kurtz to expand the department. His employees have since evolved from general workers to skilled laborers. Expenses of outside contractors have been reduced by an estimated 80 percent. At the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building, the team recently renovated two outdated bathrooms in a hallway, saving the county an estimated $75,000; created a conference room/technology center for county and public use; renovated a section of the basement to accommodate relocation of the Domestic Relations Department, eliminating an expensive rental contract; and expanded the offices of the Planning, Community Development and GIS Department, among other improvements.

Also, Kurtz, Coates and Foster rehabilitated a vacant county building at Mapleview for use as a combination District Court and Veterans Services headquarters; obtained and installed a modern clockwork with grant funding to replace the failing courthouse tower clock; performed repairs and upgrades at 911 emergency communications tower sites; and converted a vacant lot to a community garden with 32 raised beds. Earlier, under Kurtz’s leadership, several major projects at the historic Potter County Courthouse were completed at significant cost savings. These included painting of the exterior, windows replacement, renovation of the courtroom, and replacement of the front staircase, among others.

“Potter County’s approach to these critical functions is a rarity among rural counties,” said NACo’s Gore. “Professionalism of the department came during a time when the county’s tax base was declining and its financial reserves descending. Costs for labor and materials were rising. The timing of developing these critical in-house skills and services could not have been better.”

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.

Michael Pepper and Rene Kicklighter were honored for their rapid and conscientious response in the wake of severe flooding that struck northeastern Potter County last August. Brian Natali (left, Pa. Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs) and Alvin Loveless (Pa. Assn. of County Veterans Services Directors) presented them with the Pennsylvania Veterans Service Award.

Hundreds of people sprang into action last August after the remnants of Hurricane Debbie caused severe flooding in the Harrison Valley and Westfield region. Among those answering the call to duty were veterans service officers in Potter and Tioga counties. Last week, representatives from two veterans organizations honored these five public servants by presenting them with the coveted Pennsylvania Veterans Service Award. Potter County Director of Veterans Affairs Michael Pepper and his assistant Rene Kicklighter, now retired, received their medals during Thursday’s meeting of the county commissioners. Both are military veterans themselves.

“Michael and Rene worked feverishly for weeks to help veterans who were affected to get the money they needed to help with their recovery from storm damage,” said Brian Natali, a director with the Pa. Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs. Natali said DMVA provides $1,600 grants for veterans in need of temporary emergency system. Through the work of Pepper and Kicklighter, as well as their Tioga County counterparts Tim Cleveland, Jodi Stevens and Rhianon Forrest, approximately 60 vets were able to receive the money quickly. They traveled to the flood-stricken communities to work directly with the victims and submit their claims for expedited processing. The grants were unrestricted, so they could immediately be used for everything from food and emergency housing to household goods and transportation.

Potter County Human Services (PCHS) is working closely with the Potter County Board of Commissioners, county departments, and others to assist individuals impacted by the planned closing of pharmacy services at the Rite Aid store in Coudersport, effective Wednesday, May 21. PCHS caseworkers are available to help clients of the agency’s Children & Youth, Aging, Mental Health, Coordinated Services, Drug & Alcohol and Intellectual Disabilities programs. This includes assistance in understanding the options available and transferring of prescription services to another pharmacy of choice. Updated information, including details on mail order and/or home delivery services, is being posted on the PCHS website (click here) and is also available at a toll-free phone number, 1-800-800-2560.