County will borrow to finance capital improvement projects

Potter County will proceed with several capital projects through a $350,000 loan from Northwest Savings Bank, following action at Thursday's business meeting of the County Commissioners.

The board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution authorizing the five-year General Obligation Note, at a tax-free interest rate of 3.84%, with a $350 commitment fee. Commissioner Chairman Doug Morley said that if the county draws the maximum amount, annual payments would be $70,000. He stressed that instead of immediately drawing the entire amount, it is the commissioners' intent to draw the funds only as needed for projects, to avoid placing the entire financial burden on taxpayers in a single year. "Improvements, renovations, technical equipment and IT systems upgrades" were listed as potential uses for the funds.

Morley said the most immediate expenditure will be approximately $100,000 for a Landex software package which will make information from the Register & Recorder's Office available online for a fee. A portion of the cost will be offset when the new system is in place and the office ceases to pay $25,000 annually to Infocon for service which Register & Recorder Gary Kelsey has said is now outdated. Commissioner Paul Heimel noted that access fees paid by the public for the information should result in the system paying for itself in a short period of time.

Other potential uses for the loan funds include upgrades of the third floor at the Potter County Jail, for which costs have yet to be determined; improvements to windows and other aspects of the courthouse estimated around $40,000; continuing costs of equipping the Gunzburger building for new occupants; and recommended improvements to the county's fiscal system.

"These are projects that have to happen," Morley remarked, adding that the loan will enable the multiple projects to occur without depleting the county's reserves of approximately $300,000. Morley said Northwest was offered the lowest rate among four proposals received.

In the wake of a productive meeting on Monday between the county's Criminal Justice Advisory Board andVincent DeCercio, CJAB specialist with the Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Heimel announced that the county plans to apply for a $1,500 grant to cover a one-day training session on strategic planning for all officials involved in the local criminal justice system. Kefover said the session will help those involved develop common goals and objectives with an aim of reducing crime and recidivism.

"It's not going to be overnight, but in the next couple of years I believe the system's going to improve dramatically," Heimel remarked.

Announcement was made that a gift of a large American flag was received by the Commissioners from an anonymous donor. The 12'x18' flag is made of synthetic material that is heavier and more durable than typical nylon all-weather flags, and is specifically designed for daily use at sites which fly the flag 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The larger size was selected based on the 70' height of the courthouse flagpole.

In other matters, Denise Minderler was appointed to the Potter County Human Services Advisory Board for the term July 2009-July 2012. Minderler is a Global Spokesperson, participates in Special Olympics and is a monitor for the IM4Q program.

The commissioners unanimously authorized a professional services contract between the county and Arnie Haskins Counseling Services to provide services to the Potter County Jail at a rate of $40 per hour.

A contract was also authorized with North Central Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission to reimburse the county for scheduled transportation through PCHS Coordinated Services at a rate of $1,000 per program.

It was noted that Ryan Gerner of Boy Scout Troop 536 has completed the requirements for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.