Potter County Commissioners to Seek Re-Election

‘Road map’ budget passes

The Endeavor News

(January 8, 2010) – Last week’s year-end meeting of the Potter County Board of Commissioners was eventful, to say the least.

Not only did the board pass a $7.4 million operating budget that freezes county taxes at their 2010 rates, all three board members said they expect to run for a second four-year term in this year’s election.

Chairman Doug Morley described the budget as a “road map” that remains clouded with uncertainties, but expressed confidence that by Dec. 31 projected revenues will more than cover the budgeted expenses.

Commissioner Paul Heimel pointed out that county real estate taxes have risen only once, by 1.25 mills, over a five-year period. He and Commissioner Susan Kefover commended Morley for his leadership on the budget preparation process. All three commissioners expressed appreciation to county department heads and elected officials for their efficiency.

In response to a question from Gerri Miller of Black Forest Broadcasting, Morley,

Heimel and Kefover each confirmed intentions to run for re-election this year. That process begins with circulation of nominating petitions in February.

Morley and Heimel are Republicans, while Kefover is a Democrat. Each party will select two nominees in the May 17 municipal primary. Names of the four nominees will appear on the ballot for three board seats in the Nov. 8 municipal election.

Among other county offices up for election this year are sheriff/jail warden, treasurer, register of wills/ recorder of deeds, auditor (part-time; three seats) and prothonotary/clerk of courts.

In other business last week, the commissioners unanimously passed a motion to increase the salaries of about a dozen department heads and managers by two percent for 2011.

They fielded several questions from Joe Lewis of Galeton, formerly the county’s chief assessor, on budget issues related to the Tax Claim Bureau. Lewis criticized the board for increasing costs for tax delinquents.