January 28th, 2024

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:  Implementation of recommendations/best practices underway.

3 — Grant Writing/Administration

Goal: To make Potter County more competitive in qualifying for federal, state and foundational grants; to coordinate the 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 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; awaiting bid packages from consultants.

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 draft findings submitted by consultant for review and implementation 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 (completed)
• Application to Pa. Dept. of Economic and Community Development for Countywide Economic Revitalization Implementation Plan (completed; grant approved).
• Outreach to Potter County Redevelopment Authority, townships/boroughs, community organizations, regional agencies, employers and other potential partners/stakeholders.
• Engagement with Pa. Economic Development Assn., National Rural Action Caucus and other agencies dedicated to supporting agriculture/forest management, travel and tourism, manufacturing 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).
• 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)
• Assess and implement consultant MCM’s recommendations (in progress).

CURRENT STATUS: In progress