(10/2021) The requirement for everyone to wear a mask indoors at the Adams County Facilities was reinstated at the end of July. Why did this change take place? For a little background, on May 28, , Adams County Court of Common Pleas entered Supervisory Order -SO-30 stating that CDC guidelines will be adhered to in judicial facilities. At that time, CDC guidelines did not require vaccinated individuals to wear a mask indoors. On July 27, the CDC changed their recommendations, stating that fully vaccinated people are to wear a mask in public indoor settings that are located in geographic areas of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission, which applied to Adams County.

It is understandable that people may be frustrated/disappointed with the change. Please keep in mind that the action is in keeping with the guidance of the medical/science communities to assure we are doing our best to protect each other and our community. We have greatly valued everyone’s flexibility and understanding during these everchanging times. Please be aware that these protocols could change if the CDC changes their recommendations and/or Adams County moves below the substantial transmission level.

In some other County operational notes, the Courthouse and County offices remain open for business with the following operational exceptions: The Sheriff’s office requires appointments for License to Carry Permits and fingerprinting, the Prothonotary’s office requires appointments for passports, the District Attorney’s office requires appointments, public viewing of Court proceedings is still via virtual viewing at the Human Services Building by contacting the Court Administrator at 717-337-9846 at least 24 hours prior to the hearing, and the Prison and 2nd floor of the Department of Emergency Services are closed to the public.

With the November election looming, election legislation is a priority for Pennsylvania Counties. Counties are the experts in administering elections. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania continues to urge prompt action by the General Assembly to prioritize a few simple changes to the law that will help counties continue to meet their goal of delivering fair, free elections for Pennsylvania citizens.

Specifically, counties are calling for expanded pre-canvassing and moving the mail-in ballot application deadline back. With any additional changes, counties will also need sufficient resources to support both one-time and ongoing operational needs, and sufficient time for new requirements to be successfully administered and applied, including, for instance, time to acquire equipment and train election staff and poll workers as counties also balance their existing elections obligations.

The Adams County Transportation Planning Organization and the Adams County Office of Planning and Development are currently updating Adams County’s Long- Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). This federally mandated plan, titled ONWARD2050, envisions the needs and goals of Adams County’s transportation system over the next 30 years! As part of the public engagement component of the plan, a survey has been developed to gather vital feedback from ALL users of the transportation system…that includes everyone who lives, works, and travels in Adams County! The online survey can be accessed at the following link: https://arcg.is/eTujK.

A website has also been developed to provide additional information about the LRTP development process. Users can access the survey, provide feedback using the public comment map, learn about the history of Adams County’s transportation system, explore interactive maps, and more through the website: https://lrtp-1-adamsgis.hub.arcgis.com/ Your feedback matters! The survey will likely run through September, although a definite closing date has not yet been determined. Please let Adams County Planning know if you have any questions or would like any additional information. Contact them at 717-337-9824.

Adams County is excited to announce its partnership with Kenyon Energy for the installation of a roof-mounted solar array on top of the Human Services Building. The practical and code requirements to reinforce the aging roof on the Human Services Building gave the County the perfect opportunity to take its first step towards embracing renewable energy. Kenyon and its partners have been leaders in affordable solar energy for over a decade, installing solar projects for commercial giants like Walmart, Tesla, and Pepsi, along with local municipalities including Shippensburg Borough.

Under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Kenyon, the County will pay nothing for the installation and maintenance of the roof-mounted solar array and will receive solar-generated energy at a competitive rate ($0.09/kwh with a 2% annual escalator over a 25-year period. The power generated from the roof-mounted array will substantially reduce the building’s carbon footprint. The solar array is a 446 kW DC fixed tilt system with Tier 1 Talesun solar panels, sized to produce all of the energy required from the Human Services Building each year (approximately 600,000 kWh). It is anticipated that the array will be installed in late fall of , upon completing the reinforcement of the roof. This project will harness the same clean solar energy that has helped to make Adams County a premier agricultural environment for generations and will help to preserve the environment for generations to come.

Act 79 went into effect on April 10, 2019. This law includes improvements to Pennsylvania’s Protection From Abuse Act and deals primarily with increased safety provisions related to firearms in both Protection From Abuse (23. PA C.S.) and misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence (18 PA. C.S) to help prevent domestic violence. This has caused the seizure and secure storage of weapons to increase dramatically. To meet the demand, the Adams County Sheriff’s and Building/Maintenance collaborated to expand gun storage in the Sheriff’s Office. The project has been completed professionally and expeditiously by Building & Maintenance. This is one more example of various County departments collaborating to provide enhanced service to residents.

Adams County Ordinance #3 of 2013, states that on an annual basis as of July 1, the Tax Services Department will calculate the Coefficient of Dispersion (COD) based upon the previous year’s sales ratio studies. The results will guide the Board of Commissioners in determining whether to engage a reassessment task force to examine the need for a new countywide reassessment.

A COD greater than 20.0 would trigger this action. For the 2020 sales dataset, the COD has been calculated at 12.68. That is considered a strong COD and will not trigger such a task force and is well within the acceptable guidelines of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). The State, through the Tax Equalization Division (TED) of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), has announced Adams County’s Common Level Ratio to be 96.3%. This means that a property which is valued at $100,000 today should be assessed at $96,300. The ratio will be used in this coming year’s assessment appeals. Last year’s COD was 10.68% and Common Level ratio was 104.5%.

Fall is upon us and that means wonderful Adams County Fall produce and Fall Festivals throughout Adams County. Don’t forget that after a 1-year hiatus , the very popular National Apple Harvest will be held at the South Mountain Fairgrounds in Arendtsville on October 2-3 & 9-10. Hours are 8-6 on Saturday and 8-5 on Sunday. Go to www.appleharvest.com 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!