(12/2018) I am very proud to report that the dedication of the Adams County Human Services Building took place on Monday, November 26. Both the County Commissioners and the Adams County Court participated in the program. The complex near the intersections of Boyd's School and Biglerville Road, will resonate for decades to serve Adams County residents in an environment that is operationally effective, fiscally responsible, pleasing for staff to work and clients to visit. Taking the empty Herff Jones Year Book plant, purchasing and renovating it at a very favorable rate, leaving leased property behind, and turning the complex into what it has become, is a great example of good operational and fiscal management with excellent results. I believe there are significant days to be remembered in Adams County Government history, and the November 26 HSB dedication is one of them!

While we are on the subject of the Adams County Human Services Building, the complex was conceived and designed to accommodate and increase the effectiveness of numerous functions. As part of that philosophy, it was always envisioned that Children & Youth Hearings, Juvenile Probation Hearings, Domestic Relations Hearings, and Central Court would move from the downtown Courthouse to the Human Services Building to create a better overall environment for those proceedings. Parking will definitely be more convenient and the physical space(s), security enhancements and technical improvements will create an enhanced level of service delivery. The inaugural session of Juvenile Court took place on November 15, and from all reports went smoothly despite the eventual snow closure that day.

Domestic Relations Court is slated to begin on November 27 and Central Court on November 28. For those of you who have experienced it, Central Court can be quite a busy day on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse and the design and flow of the HSB should improve that dynamic. The opening of the larger central courtroom will also complement the magisterial courtrooms of Magistrate Judge Beauchat & Magistrate Judge Harvey. Magistrate Beauchat has been at that location and Magistrate Harvey will join him January 2. Magistrate Harvey's county owned building on East Middle Street will be sold in the spring at public sale.

The three Adams County Commissioners comprise the Elections Board when and if they re not running for office. The November 6th General Election saw an unusually large turnout of voters for a non-presidential election of 58.5%. Out of total Adams County voter registration of 67,025, total ballots cast were 39,262. What made that percentage even more commendable was for most of the morning voters endured torrential downpours. In fact, during my visits to 19 precincts, I observed turnout was heaviest from 7 – 11 a.m. when the rain was the heaviest. Although there were some lines in the morning our Voter Registration & Election office reported no significant issues. Monica Dutko tells me that this was the largest turnout for a mid-term election ever. A shout out to Adams County voters for getting out the vote in Adams County on November 6th! Last but not least - best wishes and a job well done to retiring long-time Adams County Voter Registration & Elections Director Monica Dutko!

The budget process, from July through November, is an on-going and demanding process for staff and administration. At the November 14 Commissioners Meeting, the Board voted to adopt the 2019 Tentative County Budget. The budget contains no tax increase with total Tentative Revenues of $64,424,714, Tentative Expenditures of $63,599,904 leaving a Tentative Contingency Reserve of$824,810. The Tentative Capital Budget is $2,879,703. Adams County continues to be in a strong financial position with an AA2+ Bond rating and very healthy reserve. Staff and management is to be commended as they continue to refine the budget process including trends, needs, income and expenditures.

You have to have your head buried in the sand to have knowledge that the opioid epidemic has arrived in Adams County. Due to our relationship with York County MHIDD and Health Choices joinder, and after a review period that took over nine months, Adams County has finally been approved to receive a $654,428 grant towards the construction of a substance abuse recovery center in Adams County. The project will involve renovating the Mercy House beside St Francis Church in downtown Gettysburg. The Mercy House had been a convent for the sisters of Charity, who in 1863 helped to care for the wounded soldiers, and for generations taught students at the St Francis Xavier grade school. We are proud to announce that this history of caring for others will continue at this location. When completed in 2019, the building will be rented to the RASE project, a regional non-profit specializing in substance abuse recovery services.

The RASE project anticipates a drop in center for clients seeking services, individual and group counseling rooms, case management offices, and four apartments for clients in recovery. The location is ideal in that it is located close to medical services, county offices, the Gettysburg police station, and public transportation routes. The building will be largely renovated with grant funding, while the county will continue to own the property and will collect rent. As a board we have prioritized increasing drug and alcohol services in our prison and at the Human Services Building. This facility will add one more tool in our tool box to fight substance abuse and the growing opioid epidemic in our community.

This a wonderful time of year in Adams County with many indoor and outdoor activities. Pick your own Christmas trees and the many tree farm in Adams County. The Christmas Carol is at the Majestic Theater. Home For The Holiday is featured at the Gettysburg Community Theater. Hit the slopes, ice rink or snow tube park at Ski Liberty. Visit one of our flourishing winery's and distillery's. Strap on those cross country ski's at Gettysburg National Military Park or Michaux State Forest. Whatever you do, get out there and experience all the historical, recreational, agricultural, natural and cultural opportunities that beautiful Adams County has to offer!