SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners’ Christmas gift to county taxpayers: the 2021 budget does not increase taxes.
At their final meeting for 2020 on Tuesday, commissioners unanimously adopted the $18,095,800 spending plan that keeps the real estate tax rate at 12.25 mills on every dollar of assessed valuation and the $5.00 per capita levy on all persons subject to taxation.
The all-funds budget, which includes all funding that passes through the courthouse, such as grants and state funding, totals $43,032,293.
In other business, commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the Potter County Education Council to establish a McKean County Vocational Mentor Aide Program.
Commenting on this matter, Commissioner Carol Duffy said that in conversations with county planning director Jeremy Morey, it was noted that such a program would be an important part of the workforce initiatives the commissioners are working on and would be specifically called out in the county’s new comprehensive plan to emphasize the importance of career and technical education.
The Potter County Education Council, along with the Workforce Development Board and the county school districts, would work cooperatively to increase student awareness of the trades beginning in middle school and extending through high school.
Also gaining approval was an amendment to the Emergency Solutions Grant contract that will allow for electronic transmittal of invoices and extends the contract for two months due to the pandemic. ESG funding is federal money administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to assist with rehousing homeless people. Commissioners OKd a tax refund for William and Mary Ann Prestis for an error in maintenance of records. Besides the county refund of $28.68, other refunds include $2.73 for Annin Township and $.69 for the Port Allegany Ambulance.
Commissioners will continue with their current practice of holding public meetings at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, except as noted here: Jan. 12 and 26; Feb. 9 and 23; March 9 and 24; April 13 and 27; May 11 and 25; June 8 and 22; July 13 and 27; Aug. 10 and 24; Sept. 14 and 28; Oct. 12 and 26; Nov. 9 and 24; and Dec. 14 and 28.
One item on the prepared agenda, a food service agreement for Foodbuy Foodservice for the county prison, died for lack of a motion.
In personnel matters, Chairman Tom Kreiner announced the appointment of Brianna Kio as a clerk in the Office of Adult Probation, effective Dec. 7.
Commissioners also approved the following items:
*ZOOM Rooms annual fee for hosting meetings in the commissioners’ meeting room at $499;
*Zito business agreement to add six more IP addresses:
*Internet service provider Skypack for Broadband; and
*Savin maintenance agreement with the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute, effective from Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2022.
