Potter County Today

Potter County’s award-winning Veterans Discount Program is being revived. Organizers report that they anticipate many more businesses and professional service providers signing up in the coming weeks to offer discounts. Started in 2016 by then-Veterans Services Director Will Worthington and Commissioner Paul Heimel, it became a model for many other county-operated discount programs in Pennsylvania and beyond. In 2019, Potter County’s initiative was honored with an Excellence Award by the National Assn. of Counties.

It’s now in the hands of the Potter County Veterans Services Committee, consisting of the county’s current veterans services director, Mike Pepper, and representatives of local veterans organizations. Shown below are the businesses that have signed up so far, with many more to come. Participating businesses are displaying a decal in their windows. Veterans can register and receive a discount card through their local service posts: Legion Post 192, Coudersport, 814-274-7460; VFW Post 7810, Austin, 814-647-8673; VFW Post 6611, Galeton, 814-435-2944; Legion Post 963, Ulysses, 814-848-7588; Legion Post 530, Shinglehouse, 814-203-4335; and LEEK Preserve, 410-322-4610.

4-H was saluted during a recent meeting of the Potter County Commissioners with not only a proclamation, but also the introduction of several area teens who are currently benefitting from the youth development program. Spencer Gee, Penn State Extension educator who coordinates 4-H in Potter County, expressed her appreciation for the county’s support, which includes an annual budget allotment and use of office space at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building. Hundreds of Potter County youths have become confident, independent and resilient leaders through 4-H, Gee pointed out. She detailed activities such as animal science, health and wellness, leadership, public service, goal setting, public speaking and others. Gee also commended the adult leaders who have served as mentors and hands-on supporters of 4-H members. More information is available at 814-274-8540. Shown from left are: front — Alexis Risser and Dana Williams; back — 4-H educator Spencer Gee, Elizabeth Freeman, Commissioners Paul Heimel and Robert Rossman, Lucas Risser, Mark Long and 4-H leader Amanda Risser.

Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Paul Heimel and Robert Rossman offer a tax incentive designed to create jobs and support economic development. A county ordinance provides tax incentives for construction or expansion of commercial properties. They could qualify for a temporary reduction of county real estate taxes. Qualifying property owners receive a 100-percent tax abatement 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 counties, school districts and local governments to offer the tax incentive program to support business expansion and job retention/creation. To obtain a copy of the ordinance, call 814-274-8290, ext. 207.

Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel used this year’s proclamation of Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29) to spotlight some of the struggles that veterans have encountered and to commend the local volunteers who support them. A proclamation was presented to two local advocates for military veterans. Shown from left are American Legion District Commander Curtis Campbell, American Legion Post 192 Adjutant Ted Parsell, and Commissioners Rossman and Heimel. Commissioner Grupp was unavailable for the photo.

Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel have provided an update on their ongoing Operational Improvement Initiatives:

1– Information Technology Upgrade

Goals: Improve functionality and security.

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

CURRENT STATUS: Completed

2 — 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.

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

3 — 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.
• 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.

CURRENT STATUS: In progress.

4 — Short- and Long-Term Financial/Operational Management Planning

Goal: Engage with the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development to qualify for DCED’s Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP) and implement consultants’ recommendations.

• Circulate Request for Proposals to list of qualified consultants (completed)
• Create short- and long-term financial plans (budgeting, capital projects planning, overall efficiency and opportunities for improvements).
• Review each department’s operations/staffing and needs.
• Implement consultant’s plan and establish system to measure results/progress through scheduled periodic review.

CURRENT STATUS: DCED grant approved; four bid packages received from consultants currently under review. Best practices from other countywide STMP projects being evaluated.

5 — Update of Human Resources Policies

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

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

6—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; County Creative Council, 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 (underway).
• 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.

CURRENT STATUS: In progress

7—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; draft report prepared and being reviewed).
• 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 (pending).

CURRENT STATUS: In progress

Programs administered by Potter County Human Services (PCHS) affect hundreds of lives across the county. PCHS offers opportunities for public input on its many programs through dedicated advisory boards. Clients and their family members or caregivers, as well as community representatives, are encouraged to participate. All board meetings are open to the public. PCHS operates programs for victims of alcoholism and other drug abuse, older citizens, the mentally ill, children who are at risk, the intellectually disabled and those who are homeless or otherwise disadvantaged. Volunteer advisory board members are appointed by the Potter County Board of Commissioners. Anyone interested in being considered for appointment to any of the boards should contact the Commissioners Office at 274-8290, extension 207.

One group of volunteers holds quarterly meetings to provide input on the overall operations of PCHS. Directors of the county agency depend on the Potter County Human Services Advisory Board in determining program priorities and other policies and practices. This year’s meetings will be held at 2 pm Jan. 25, April 25, July 25 and Oct. 24 at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport.

An Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Advisory Board serves in a consulting role to PCHS in the delivery of prevention and treatment programs. The field has been changing dramatically in recent times with a growing methamphetamine epidemic, the abuse of prescription drugs, and heroin addiction. Alcohol and tobacco, among other drugs, also take a toll among county residents. AOTD meetings will be held at noon on the second Friday of each month. To participate, call PCHS at 814-544-7315 for further information.

An Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board offers input to administrators of programs and services for older county residents, ranging from senior centers and home-delivered meals to in-home care and assistance with Medicare. To participate, call PCHS at 814-544-7315.