Jim Martin Randy Phiel Marty Qually
The County of Adams is a unitary governmental entity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The County acts as an agent for the Commonwealth on various functions as specified by Pennsylvania State law. These functions include the delivery of numerous human services and the administrative oversight of various health and public safety programs and the maintenance of various County bridges. In addition to these functions, the County of Adams is responsible for maintaining the Court of Common Pleas, the Minor Judiciary System, and specific offices charged with keeping records of legal and judicial proceedings.
The services of the county commissioners began with the maintenance of the local judicial system and the local prison. Responsibilities include -county tax assessment/ appraising/ tax claim, pertaining to both current and delinquent; management of elections; mapping department which provides layout of county parcels; planning and development department; emergency services; veterans affairs; solid waste management; and agricultural preservation. The administration of human services programs for counties have grown into the role of the primary provider of state and federal social programs which help to benefit the county nursing home and the children and youth services.
In 1798 a "Committee of Trustees" was appointed to supervise the erection of the proposed new county , and to direct the transfer of property , election, and tax records from the jurisdiction of York County .The first board of commissioners was elected in 1800 and consisted of one 1-year term, one 2-year term and one 3-year term. In 1801 the second election was held and the board was elected to three year terms, with staggered years which continued through 1874. It was not until 1911 that the change was made to four-year term with a three-member board. The commissioners serve as the managers and administrators of county government and are vested with selective policy-making authority to provide certain local services and facilities on a county-wide basis. Administrative powers and duties of county commissioners encompass registration and elections, assessment of persons and property , human services, veterans' affairs, appointment of county personnel and fiscal management. A primary duty of the commissioners is to create and manage the annual budget. This consists of what monies must be spent to operate the county and how these monies are to be raised.
Public meetings are held every other Wednesday at 9:00 am in the historic courtroom. Please refer to the Calendar of Events under Quick Clicks on the homepage for specific dates.