(12/2022) The Adams County General Election on November 8 saw an unusually large voter turn-out for a non-presidential election. Approximately 65% of Adams County registered voters cast their ballot. As a comparison, highly contested presidential elections have registered 70%. Mail-in ballot requests totaled 11,085 with a high rate of return of 10,230. The mail-ins were very efficiently processed by county staff beginning at 7 a.m. on election day, utilizing 4 processing lines, with the bulk of the mail-in ballots being processed and fed into the scanners by 3 p.m. Mail-ins that came into the courthouse election day, were quickly processed that evening.

All 50 precincts were tabulated and reported on the County website by 10:30 p.m.. Election Day. Adams County consistently maintains a high standard of election integrity and service. This does not happen by accident! Our elections office staff, now supported by staff from all departments due to the recent mail-in ballot dynamic, and dedicated poll workers who roll up their sleeves to provide this significant community service, deserve thanks and recognition for what they do. Being at the forefront of elections administration is no easy task these days. On behalf of The Adams County Board of Commissioners - a job well done to our elections team.

At the Commissioners November 16th Public Meeting, the Board approved a 2023 Tentative Budget, without a tax increase. The $87.7 budget includes $70.3 million in the General Fund, $14.3 million in Special Funds, $2.4 million in Hotel Tax Fund, and $700,000 in Bridge Funds. The budget provides for no tax increase with no cut in services.

When pulling out American Rescue Plan Act funds from the proposed budget and considering an increased 8% cost of living index that we are all experiencing in our daily lives, it is worth noting the Adams County 2023 tentative budget is only 2% higher than last year’s budget. The most glaring area of expense growth was 42% increase in elections and voter registration, which is primarily a component of recently instituted mail-in-voting labor, equipment, materials and postage. I am happy to report that Adams County is in a very healthy fiscal position with appropriate reserves and the highest bond rating we can obtain with our demographics.

Also at the November 16 meeting, the Adams County Board of Commissioners approved and announced that they will be providing a portion of the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by the federal government to our local Municipalities, Fire Departments, and Emergency Medical Service (ALS) providers. Distributions to all 34 municipalities represented Liquid Fuels revenues lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically, lost revenues in 2020 and 2021 as compared to 2019 pre-pandemic revenues. Funds allocated to the municipalities will total $584,343.86. The distributions to local Fire Departments and EMS providers are based on an equally weighted average of the size (acres) and combined assessed value of the service area of each organization.

The total funds being provided to the Fire Departments and EMS providers is $250,000.00. It has always been the intent of the Board to distribute these funds in a way that would positively impact every citizen in Adams County. It is important to recognize these entities and how critical they are to the well-being of our community. This distribution methodology assures that funding touches every resident of Adams County in some manner – either directly or indirectly. In addition to the aforementioned funding the Commissioners created a community grant program with another $5 million of ARPA that has been designed to fund large-scale, high-impact projects in order to maximize the number of beneficiaries in our community.

Each year Adams County receives an allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds to award to eligible projects. Adams County’s CDBG funds applications may be used to benefit a variety of activities including water and sewer systems, streets, emergency housing assistance, recreation and community facilities, new public services, ADA compliance, and economic development. This year, Adams County received an allocation of $321,145, from which the Board of Commissioners selected two projects to award. Biglerville Borough will receive $100,000 to upgrade its utility infrastructure by replacing approximately 3,500 lineal feet of the water main serving the eastern portion of Biglerville Borough. Hoffman Homes, Inc. will receive $163,338.90 to increase campus security by installing a steel fence approximately ¼ mile long along Orphanage Road in front of Hoffman Homes’ property. We are excited to see these Adams County projects come to fruition.

The Broadband Community Assessment, authorized through a joint project between Adams and Franklin Counties, continues to make great progress. Currently the consultant, Design Nine, Inc., and county staff are finalizing a survey which will be distributed to Adams County and Franklin County residents and businesses. The survey will ask straightforward yet specific questions regarding one’s overall experience with broadband at their address. The survey will be available online for everyone, as well as through a physical version that will be distributed through targeted mailings to portions of our County most lacking broadband accessibility. This information will be valuable for the Adams County Board of Commissioners as we work to improve broadband accessibility throughout the County that impacts quality of life, economics, and education.

Each year on Veterans Day, the Allied Veterans Council of Adams County holds their Annual Veterans Day Program at the American Legion Post 202, 528 East Middle Street, Gettysburg. The program commences at 11 a.m. This program is both poignant and enjoyable, in honoring and recognizing veterans from all branches of our armed service. Along with a program and featured speaker, the Apple Core Band performs a variety of patriotic songs and plays the anthem for each service branch while recognizing those gathered from that branch. The program culminates by moving outside with the tolling of the bell for Adams County departed veterans.

After the ceremony attendees are treated to sandwiches and hot soup. Events such as this are what makes America & Adams County great! If you have not attended the event previously, take stock of what Veterans Day really means, and take the opportunity to attend this program – as well as other Veterans Day programs around Adams County! On another Veteran Days note, the WWII Museum, Adams County Veterans Affairs, and the Gettysburg Times sponsored a World War II Veterans Reunion, on Saturday at The WWII Museum, 845 Crooked Creek Road, Gettysburg. Over 20 WWII veterans from around the state were in attendance. There were five veterans over 100 years old. The reunion included a luncheon and tour for the veterans and guest. I was honored to attend this very special event.

No matter what you do, get out there and experience all the historical, recreational, agricultural, natural, and cultural opportunities that beautiful Adams County has to offer.