This is from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania’s website: County governments are responsible for a wide variety of critical services, including provision of human services (mental health, intellectual disabilities, juvenile justice, children and youth, long-term care, drug and alcohol services, housing) to people in need in our communities. In addition, counties are responsible for emergency management and 911 services, administration of the courts and corrections system, elections, maintenance of county bridges, and the county property assessment rolls, and also are involved in environmental and land use planning, protection of open space and community and economic development.

Makes you wonder whether most Pennsylvanians know all that counties are responsible for. But, counties often have to rely on the state for funding and other resources as well as to conform to mandates from the state. At the beginning of every year, the County Commissioners Association goes to the legislature with a set of priorities. We talk about what counties are looking for or feel they need in 2023 with

Lisa Schaefer, Executive Director and Venango County Commissioner Chip Abramovic, the President of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.