Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tioga County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
29 issues
Aspen Street Bridge repairs
The county is going after up to $3 million from PennDOT to fund a bundle of bridge repair projects rather than a single one, which officials said gives more impact and drew enthusiasm from PennDOT's secretary.
Arnot water plant generator
A $49,832 Act 13 grant buys a new generator for the Arnot water plant pump house, keeping water service running during power outages.
Veterans Affairs leadership transition
Tim Cleveland retired after 29 years building the county's Veterans Affairs office into a statewide award-winning operation; Ryan Forrest has been promoted to Deputy Director as the transition proceeds.
Adoption needs in Tioga County
Nine kids found adoptive homes this year, but 20 children are still waiting — seven without an identified family. Commissioners urged more families to consider fostering or adoption.
2027 Tax Base Certification
The county is defending its valuation of the EQT Mansfield building in a tax appeal and hired an appraiser for $4,800 to support its case.
Courthouse armory roof repair
An emergency $90,088 roof repair keeps the courthouse annex dry and protected.
November general election deadlines
Register by October 19; mail-in/absentee ballot applications close October 27. The county also honored residents who've voted in 50 consecutive general elections.
Nelson Township water system upgrade
This year's ~$250,000 CDBG entitlement money would replace two 45-year-old generators and upgrade filtration at Nelson Township's water treatment plant, which barely kept up during Debby flooding.
Data center development questions (LERTA, geothermal, power)
Resident Leon Kocher urged the commissioners to use LERTA law Section 5 to cap tax abatements for large new construction, and suggested geothermal cooling and even small nuclear power as answers to data center water and electric demands.
Tioga County Fairgrounds master plan
The aging fairgrounds — celebrating its 60th year — needs water, sewer, building and traffic safety upgrades. The county is partnering on a master plan, which also positions the fair for future grants.
Tropical Storm Debby disaster recovery funding
The county is applying for about $12.2 million to help recover from Debby flooding — buyouts for floodplain homes, new floodplain/wetland work, streambank repairs, home rehab and public services. The application goes in Friday.
Farmland preservation funding
The county committed $100,000 from the landfill escrow account for 2027 conservation easements, preserving agricultural land.
Lawrence Township sewer plant upgrade application
The county submitted a $6 million federal EDA application to upgrade the Lawrence Township Municipal Authority water treatment plant, which would also open the door for growth in the Victoric area.
Dam safety inspections
Three county dams will be professionally inspected and reported on, paid from landfill escrow money.
Food insecurity in Tioga County
One in seven county residents — and one in four children — is food insecure, and food costs are up more than 33% since 2019. The county proclaimed Hunger Action Month and works with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
Emergency radio system upgrade study
The county is spending nearly $65,000 to verify radio frequencies before committing to a major (and pricey) new radio project for emergency responders. Current dispatch consoles are at end of life, so an upgrade is coming one way or another.
Crary Hose new fire station out of the floodplain
The county signed a commitment letter for a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant to buy out or relocate Potter Brook properties flooded twice in two years, with up to seven inches of rain reported in the drainage. Commissioners said getting people out of the floodplain is the priority.
BeST Transit extended 50 years
The three-county bus authority (BeST Transit) can now exist for up to 50 more years, securing public transportation service long-term.
Pine Creek Rail Trail named Trail of the Year — celebration planned
The trail won state Trail of the Year honors after years of applications, and the county is hosting a four-day celebration in September including a gallery, events at the Wellsboro House, and the 5K/10K event the board approved.
School resource officers in Southern Tioga schools
A new agreement puts sheriff's deputies in Southern Tioga School District schools, with the district footing the bill. Commissioners called it a must for student safety and a boost for deputy retention.
$11.54 Million Flood Recovery Funding Guidelines Released
The county got the rules for investing $11.54 million in CDBG-DR disaster recovery money: $4.45M for housing rehab and floodproofing, $5.6M for water/sewer and public facilities, and more. Applications are due October 16, with a second public hearing planned in early October.
I-99 redesignation ends county liability for highway lighting
Now that Route 15 is I-99, the county is off the hook for utilities, maintenance and insurance on the interchange lights — four amended agreements with PennDOT made it official.
Polling place consolidation in Wellsboro
Wellsboro Wards 1 and 2 will move to the Wellsboro Firemen's Annex starting with the November election — same separate check-ins inside, but better parking and one delivery point. Voters will get notices in the mail.
New county website platform
With CCAP getting out of the county website business, the county hired Revize at $7,980 a year for five years to rebuild, host, and maintain tiogacountypa.org — with a free overhaul included.
Human Services contract renewals
Twenty-nine contracts keep foster care, juvenile detention, early intervention therapy, drug and alcohol treatment, and transportation services running for county residents through 2026/27.
Hazardous materials cost recovery ordinance
Facilities storing hazardous chemicals will now pay $75 instead of $50 per chemical — a fee set in 1991. The money funds LEPC purchases like CO monitors for EMS and foam suppression for fire departments.
CCAP 2026 priorities: 911, mental health, reassessments
Resolution R-8-26 backs a statewide push to raise the 911 surcharge (Tioga County covers 40% of its 911 costs), boost county mental health base funding, and fix Pennsylvania's property reassessment system.
Southern Tioga School District SRO request
The district formally asked the county for three full-time sheriff's deputies as school resource officers for the 2026-27 school year, with a Memorandum of Understanding attached. Commissioners tabled it to talk with the Sheriff about staffing and cost sharing, with the district hoping for placement by around August 1.
Data center development and public education
Since a developer first asked about the county's data center ordinance last August, the planning office has built safeguards and is hosting a June 23 public session to correct misinformation, explain who has approval authority, and encourage residents to engage their municipalities.