SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to begin the procedures required to secure a Tax Anticipation Note not to exceed $3.5 million for the 2018 fiscal year.
According to the resolution, “during January and February of each year the county experiences a negative cash flow due to the fact that revenues from the upcoming year’s property tax are not yet payable.” The TAN is to be repaid during the first six months of 2018.
In another vote, commissioners authorized the county to enter into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s 2017-18 Hazardous Material Response Fund. PEMA says the purpose of this fund is not only to maintain a comprehensive HAZMAT safety program for the state and its counties, but more specifically to provide financial assistance to the state’s departments, agencies and counties to develop an effective response to health hazards, dangers and risks in which HAZMAT releases pose threats to the general public.
Commissioners also approved the county’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which identifies the firefighting assets in the county and outlines methods to mobilize them in an emergency.
The county will also enter an agreement with the Department of Community and Economic Development for the HOME Investments Partnerships Program Grant Contract for $350,000. The McKean County Redevelopment Authority will administer this program, the federal government’s largest block grant program for low-income people.
Another approved resolution allows the county to advertise for the passage of Ordinance #2 of 2017, McKean County Recorder of Deeds Fee Law, which would impose an additional fee to be used for demolition.
Liquid Fuels invoices of $6,241 and $3,872 for Eldred Borough and Otto Township, respectively, were approved. An additional $9,341 will go to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Inc.; this represents a portion of this agency’s budget allotment for the period ending Sept. 30.
In personnel matters, the commissioners reappointed Steve Sherk and Cliff Lane to the McKean County Conservation District. Sherk, a public director, will have a four-year term, Lane, the CD’s county commissioner’s representative, has another one-year term.
Steve Bell has been reappointed to another five years as a director with the McKean County Redevelopment Authority.
Zach Pearson, the county director of veteran affairs, reported on Title 5, which he said, “is a federal program that assists senior citizens to return to the working place.” Pearson said one employees is to start with his office within a month to assist with administrative and clerical duties. “This helps both our office and the county since there is no cost for the county.”
Pearson also mentioned the Veteran Resource and Job Fair from 5:30-8:30 p.m. today at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Veterans and their families are invited to attend this one-stop shop to learn about Veterans Administration’s services and community resources at this event.
Chief assessor Angie Tennies presented information on the tax base summary and certified the assessment rolls for the 2018 tax year.
Commissioners also:
*approved various service provider agreements;
*approved a renewal lease agreement with Christian and Carol Howard for office space for the Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County; and
*renewed the agreement with the Employee Assistance Program for county employees.
