COUDERSPORT –– Potter County property owners will see a slight increase in taxes in 2018.
Potter County Commissioners approved the tax levy for the coming year during their regular meeting held Thursday.
A resolution was approved, setting the tax levy at 17.5 mills for fiscal year 2018, an increase of 0.5 mills. The county will see an increase in revenue of approximately $170,000 from the millage increase.
Commissioners stated that costs increase annually, by as much as $500,000. The tax increase does not completely cover rising costs, which have been mitigated through tightening of department budgets, seeking out grant opportunities and other measures, officials said.
Commissioners voted not to collect per capita taxes again this year.
The proposed budget is expected to be approved at the Dec. 21 meeting and is on display at the commissioners’ office.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners approved several agreements related to Community Development Block Grant projects over the past several years. The agreements formalize funding being directed to two large infrastructure-improvement projects.
Competitive grant funding awarded to the projects was added to annual entitlement funding for work to be completed in Genesee and Shinglehouse.
A portion of the grant money can be allocated for administration, which is used to fund the new community development director position in the county, filled by Jennifer Rossman.
Commissioners approved a grant agreement with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for 911 statewide interconnectivity funding for the NorthCom Microwave Project. The grant of $534,117 will be used to upgrade and/or replace equipment reaching its end-of-life.
Commissioner Doug Morley said that the sum is just a portion of what will be required in coming years to bring all areas of the county into full, modern 911 service, which is spotty in some areas during times of extreme weather or other emergencies.
Two or three new towers will need to be installed to increase service coverage, and the current system will need to be updated or replaced, officials said. These types of systems are designed to be used for about 10 years; Potter’s system was installed in 2002.
Two contract renewals were also approved with AMP Global Strategies, one for Department of Emergency Services maintenance at a cost of $165,495, and the second for $24,000 for 911 coordinator, technical advisement and financial advisement. Both cover one-year terms with no increase from last year’s costs, which are paid for through 911 funding.
The meeting also involved Kefover expressing appreciation for long-time 911 dispatcher Sheila Bryant, who will retire after 38 years of service to the county.
The next meeting of the commissioners will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport.
