(7/2025) It is July and Adams County Government is halfway through its January to December fiscal year and nearly all county real estate taxes have been collected. As we approach this juncture, we paused to review our debt repayment ability relative to tax revenues and expenditures.

On May 28, Adams County elected officials took their pause to meet with our third-party financial advisor to evaluate the county’s financial health. Unlike bond ratings such as "Moody’s", the presentation given by our financial advisor, rated the county’s ability to meet our future debt obligations. Our financial advisor summarized this review by saying, Adams County’s fiscal house is in amazingly good order".

The same advisor also reviews the financial health of numerous other counties. In comparison, Adams County ranks fiscally stronger than many of those counties. After checking the present commissioner’s history in office, he was amazed to see what we accomplished without utilizing tax anticipation notes. These notes are short-term obligations used to pay current expenses when reserve funds are insufficient, generally the first quarter of the fiscal year. Then upon receipt of real estate taxes the county pays the notes in full using the revenues that arrive early.

We are able to avoid periods of insufficient funds due to excellent internal financial review. This analytical review is done by our in-house Financial Review Team and these analytics become valuable information for making our financial decisions. I compare this team to a baseball team’s general manager that constantly works to keep his team competitive.

Other financial activity that is continuously going on in our community are the fund raisers for our non-profit organizations. One organization in particular that depends on regular seasonal funds raising is the United Way of Adams County. The Annual Fund Raising Campaign is instrumental for the agency to provide sufficient funds to support programs that meet the needs of struggling individuals and families. So far, the United Way 2024-2025 campaign goal of $190,000 has fallen short by $23,000. Hopefully there are enough generous donors among our communities to meet this need by June 30th. Your gifts at this time of the year are essential in meeting very special needs in our community. Donation may be sent to United Way of Adams County, 123 Buford Avenue, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

Wednesday evening June 18 the United Way of Adams County had its 78th Annual Awards Ceremony to recognize its top donors and volunteers. Adams County Community Foundation received the Spirit Award to recognize their support since 2011, giving tens of thousands of dollars which included special grants, all totaling over $250,000. These funds are one of the most critical financial lifelines to the agency. Strong financial support was also received by many community members donating $1,000 or more. Nearly all of these donors gift $1,000 or more every year, amazing.

As part of the Adams County United Way giving campaign; ACNB Bank employees raised over $36,000 through their payroll deductions, earning the R.C. Hoffman Award as Adams County’s top employee fund raising group. Great job! Added to this great effort, ACNB Bank donated $8000.

I am extremely grateful for the community spirit of giving to Adams County United Way and all the help from Gettysburg College and a long list of volunteers. During the later part of May, the College and approximately 85 volunteers supported the Give It Up for Good Sale held in the College’s Fieldhouse. This special sale was very successful; it raised $18,500 that was welcomed funds for summer operations.

A community service and event provided by the Allied Veterans that should not be overlooked, occurs on June 14th, Flay Day. Every Flag Day, there has been a special flag retirement service held at the Legion Park just beyond the Biglerville Borough line. The ceremony that is conducted is a formal military retirement of United States Flags that are no longer serviceable. The ceremony ends with a gun salute and the burning of unserviceable flags collected by the American Legion Post. This is an educational and patriotic event that should go on your calendar next year.

The event is made possible by the sponsorship of the Biglerville American Legion Post. They also provide a picnic style meal at the conclusion of the ceremony. The Allied Veterans have done the flag retirement ceremony faithfully for many years, pray that they can continue this tradition. As a special touch to the evening, The Apple Core Band provides a selection of patriotic music. The evening is truly a slice of local Americana.

For next year, America 250PA, there are plans being made for a Flag Day parade. The parade is to go through the center of Biglerville and it is to end inside Oak Side Park. This parade is planned to be a cooperative event of the Upper Adams Communities, So, pay attention to the events of next year. If you have never been in a parade, this could be your opportunity. The Biglerville Borough Office will be taking applications for parade entrants.

One of the characteristics of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is that its counties are divided into townships and boroughs as governing bodies. To serve their respective communities adequate facilities are necessary to conduct municipal services and business. Over the past several months the Adams County Commissioners have taken part in two townships groundbreaking ceremonies; Butler and Cumberland. Butler will be moving from an inadequate rented building with limited capabilities. This will be a much-needed new construction that will far exceed the functionality of its rented building and will replace the deteriorating maintenance building. In contrast to Butler, Cumberland will be upgrading their present facilities to meet the growing needs of their township. In particular Cumberland will have a much-needed expansion and modernization of their police department that includes greater security. Both projects received state funding to help defray the cost of construction; thanks to our legislators that pursued state funding. Hopefully both townships can celebrate project completions for America 250PA.

Best Regards