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Commissioners target goals moving forward

From streamlining county government to improving the quality of life of residents, Lycoming County commissioners have set strategic goals for this year and into the future.

Commissioner Scott Metzger said nine specific goals have been identified by county officials as the top priorities.

“It’s a blueprint moving forward,” he said. “We are here to get things accomplished for the people in this great valley we live in.”

Of the nine goals, Metzger said it would be difficult to cite a specific one that garners the very top position.

“We will announce our top five next week,” he said.

Among the other goals are: Improving the county’s financial health, investing in human capital, leveraging funding solutions, investing in economic development, promoting regionalization, enhancing public safety, and running the courts and prison system more effectively.

In recent years, commissioners have discussed consolidating facilities to make for more effective government operations.

“We are very close to selling Executive Plaza,” Metzger said.

A possible plan is to move some county business into the Third Street Plaza building.

“We hope to find a home for the coroner,” he said.

A plan, he said, is to perhaps house coroner operations with other public services.

Metzger noted that the county’s economic development plans are already under way with a manufacturing facility ready to locate across from the landfill on Route 15 resulting in 150 jobs.

“These are good jobs that pay a good wage,” he said. “We are excited to have them in the county.”

Plans call for more development in that area of the county.

“The big issue is skilled labor,” he said.

With far too many people leaving the county after being educated and trained here, partnership with colleges and other entities must be done to ensure more people stay.

Looking at developing the county’s growth corridors will also be part of the economic strategy.

Metzger noted that the county courts and prison system are a big driver of county expenses.

“We need to think out of the box to run them more effectively,” he said. “As we work together as a team, we can find innovative ways to reduce cost.”

Metzger noted that the county has in place many valuable assets and resources, including the arts and recreational activities, that point to a high quality of life.

“There are ways to enhance that,” he said. “We have a beautiful valley.”

Regionalization is a means of working together more effectively while cutting costs.

“Everything is going up in price. People want to be able to afford services,” he said, while adding that many people simply can’t afford additional tax increases.

Improving public safety will mean better security at the district judges’ offices.

Investing in human capital, he noted, will include developing better policies for employees and enhancing overall morale.

Metzger said county officials will continue to look for ways to provide services within budget while keeping a focus on COVID-19 and its related issues.

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