(5/2020) I’d like to start by thanking the medical and emergency professionals, who have been working non-stop to keep us all safe. Following closely is my gratitude to everyone who has taken the time to protect themselves and their family, and then found time to check in on neighbors, donate to food banks, make masks for those exposed to risk, and in any way help us all get through this.

County government is first and foremost a service agency. The first service and foremost is providing for the health and safety of the public. Currently, the interaction between our staff and the public is the potential health threat that is making everyday operations a challenge. It is important to note that while many businesses were ordered to close to slow the spread of the virus, county government was exempt from these orders. Our closure and subsequent safety procedures were initiated because we agreed with the need to limit exposure to our staff and the public. Likewise, as the public was ordered to stay at home, our hallways naturally began to empty of residents looking for services. So while we could have stayed open it was neither practical, nor productive.

In the early days of the outbreak we had to close down our buildings, but were still able to provide some services remotely. Thankfully, we have created a strong Information Technology department, so while challenging, we were able to continue with many services remotely. Some staff have still needed to use the building, but for the most part the courthouse and our other public buildings went eerily quiet. Still today, if one calls the courthouse, the staff answering the phone may very well be answering from their own homes.

Likewise, staff are answering emails from the safety of their homes and doing their best to provide services without personal contact. This does not work for every service, so some services were temporarily placed on hold. We are still in a critical phase of this pandemic, so if you need any county services, please first check our website for updates at www.adamscounty.us or call our main line at 717-334-6781 before coming to a public building. If you do have to come into a building for an allowed service, expect to have your temperature taken by security and expect to see social distancing and other safety protocols in place. We are doing our best to provide services as safely as possible.

Shortly, after this edition is printed the county will have begun what I would call a ‘forced opening’. While we can safely begin to phase in some in-person services over time and as directed by our governor, there are some services we must provide now. One unique and challenging aspect of county government is that we are not a single entity, we are a collection of independently elected officials (Judges, District Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer, Prothonotary, Register and Recorder, Controller, Coroner and Clerk of Courts) with specific obligations and statutory duties. While commissioners hold the power to control all elected officials’ budgets, we cannot countermand some functions, especially in regards to court operations. Thus, the first large scale re-opening of services will a return to court hearings.

Currently, the Adams County Court of Common Pleas has over 400 cases in need of adjudication. Justice cannot be delayed, it must be served. That being said, serving justice in the time of COVID-19 will take on a new look. I am not just speaking about masks, remote hearings, and social distancing. We also need to be cognizant of the safety of those sentenced for crimes. Adams County for some time now has utilized home confinement as an alternative to prison sentencing, when appropriate for certain crimes. While that had been a tool to keep criminals living more functional lives, potentially caring for children or remaining employed, now it must become a means to more safely administer justice. Specifically, we cannot run the risk of introducing covid-19 into our prison population.

As I mentioned, county government is controlled by specific laws, while justice must be served, we have a duty to maintain the safety of those serving jail sentences. Our warden and her team have done a great job working with the courts to establish protocols to keep inmates and staff safe during this pandemic. We expect some of these protocols to remain in effect for months to come.

Another aspect of county government, which can be delayed, but not stopped, are elections. Elections matter, this year more than most! Across America we have seen primary elections postponed. Our primary has been pushed back to June 2nd and the law has been changed to make vote by mail more easily accessible. Due to a 2018 election lawsuit, we were already on the path to all new processes and equipment to ensure better elections. For our elections office this year was already going to be a challenging one.

Our Director of Elections and her staff have had to learn everything new this year and then COVID-19 comes along with a new wave of concerns. In other PA counties election directors are resigning instead of face an election that could be a stressful train wreck. I do not say that lightly. New equipment, new laws, and now a pandemic that puts older poll workers and voters at risk is a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, Angie and her team are up to the challenge and the board county commissioners are increasing resources to protect volunteers, voters, and staff. This primary will be a test run for what will be a huge general election. This is just one example of a county duty, which can be delayed, but not put off indefinitely.

That brings us to the most challenging change to county government. This month we will need to furlough over 80 county staff members. Previously, I mentioned that county government is made up of multiple independently elected officials, each with their own duties. The Board of Commissioners largest duty is managing the county budget. Our fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers requires that we take advantage of the new CARES Act unemployment benefits to preserve county tax dollars during this crisis. If I thought this situation was only going to last a few more weeks or that everything would return to normal, then I personally would not put a single employee through a furlough.

While a furlough does not mean that someone loses their position or their health care benefits, it does mean we are not paying them. With the millions of Americans and Pennsylvanians applying for unemployment right now, receiving an unemployment check has been delayed. County staff are the most important part of government. Balancing their needs and responsible fiscal management is like walking a razor’s edge. Too far either direction and there will be pain, but as we enter into another recession we have no other choice. We must find ways to save money, or the next few years will result in more than just furloughs.

Over the next few months our staff will assess long-term changes and solutions needing to be implemented as a response to COVID-19. We do not currently know how long this will last, so we cannot anticipate the cost of safety measures. We do not know the fiscal impacts due to the loss of tax revenue. Our tax director is projecting the tax revenue shortfalls we can anticipate this year and next. Without tax revenue we may have to reduce services. The good news is that Adams County is fiscally strong. Our borrowing capacity is large enough to outpace our needs and our reserves are more than adequate to survive a temporary loss of state and tax revenue.

We will get through this. Be well. Stay safe.