COUDERSPORT — A memorial ceremony will be held on Saturday at the kickoff event for a veterans’ gravestone cleaning project that is anticipated to be embraced across Potter County.

The Potter County Veterans’ Gravestone Restoration project will begin at Eulalia Cemetery near Coudersport, and a number of individuals and organizations have pledged their time to help Potter County’s deceased veterans be remembered.

The memorial ceremony will begin at 9 a.m., and will feature a keynote speaker, the Potter County Honor Guard, and a short instructional period for volunteers. Residents who are not volunteering at this time are also welcome at the ceremony. Parking will be available at the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department. The event will be held rain or shine, but may be shortened if there is inclement weather.

County officials continue to review best practices and available research related to the Stepping Up Initiative, aimed at diverting some individuals with mental health issues into treatment rather than lock-up when they come in contact with the criminal justice system. The county signed on to participate in this national initiative, one of many criminal justice reform measures being pursued by Potter and other counties across the country.

Concerns are being raised by county officials through the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) organization over House Bill 218, the state house budget package recently passed and forwarded to the state senate.

“There is great potential to cause counties to raise taxes or cut services because the state is going to cut funding for mandated services,” said Commissioner Paul Heimel, who went on to say that officials understand the state’s dilemma, with a gaping hole expected in the budget before word was received in recent weeks of lower-than-expected revenue receipts.

Cuts that are particularly concerning to county governments across the state include those proposed for human services and the criminal justice system, most notably adult probation services. Counties are mandated by the state and federal government to provide a number of programs. If funding is cut, counties would be on-the-hook for costs to keep the programs functioning.

Commissioner Susan Kefover commended efforts to merge Potter County’s tourism promotion agency with neighboring Tioga County, and complimented fellow commissioner Doug Morley on his dedication to the process.

“I’m very excited of the possibilities this could bring, but I also know all the grunt work…that went into this, and I think it’s a big step for our economy,” said Kefover, who attended a recent event aimed at connecting Potter-Tioga County Visitors agency representatives with Potter County businesses, organizations and governmental agencies.

Morley stated that the move is still awaiting approval at the state level, but he anticipates that the merger will be accepted. State agencies appear to be advocating more mergers and cooperation between counties for tourism promotion and similar efforts.

A Strike Prevention and Contingency Plan to support Resolution #6 of 2017 was approved. The resolution was passed at the last meeting and names the Potter County Sheriff’s Department as security personnel for the county in case of labor unrest or similar situations. The contingency plan further elaborates on the duties of sheriff’s department personnel and county officials in case of an emergency. It was modeled on a similar plan implemented in Tioga and McKean counties, among others, and was vetted by the solicitor and recommended by the state sheriff’s association and other entities.

A proposal from KOFILE Technologies was approved. The company will preserve a number of records at the Potter County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office at a cost of $10,056. The old records are still used, but will continue to deteriorate if not digitized. This is another step in an ongoing process to digitize and protect county records.

The next meeting of the Potter County Commissioners will be held at 11 a.m. May 26 at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport.