Adams County Controller John Phillips will not seek re-election in 2023.
Phillips became the county’s second controller in 2020. The office was first created in 2012 as Adams County became a fifth-class county.
Phillips said he and his wife Kim will relocate to New England after his term ends to be closer to their son, daughter-in-law, and new grandchild.
The controller is the county’s bookkeeper, internal auditor, and makes all payments on behalf of the county.
“I am indebted to the individuals who first asked me to run for the position, and the voters who trusted me in the role,” Phillips said, “because I am truly enjoying my term in office. In an era when so many levels of government are simply failing to be effective and responsible stewards for the taxpayers, Adams County is the opposite, delivering services efficiently.”
Phillips went on to say that “The Controller is in a unique statutory position within county government, simultaneously working with the other elected officials to improve county fiscal management and effectiveness, while holding the mandate to audit those same elected officials and safeguard county funds. The best interest of the County is the essential measure.”
Phillips said during his tenure, the controller’s office, in concert with other county departments, and with the support of the commissioners, county manager, county solicitor, treasurer, budget and purchasing department, and chief information officer, accomplished a number of significant goals, including receiving a fourth consecutive national award for financial reporting; correcting compliance and collection issues within the hotel tax program; improving utilization of historic preservation and economic development funds; strengthening policies for capital asset management and fiscal stewardship; cutting costs through implementation of juror debit cards; improving fiscal controls with electronic workflows; implementing electronic bidding to increase the county’s supplier base; and completing the County’s first asset inventory in two decades.
In addition, Phillips said, financial system upgrades have been completed to allow implementing a county-wide accounts receivable system for tracking and collection of debts owed to the County, and an updated tax collection ordinance proposed to enhance accountability and cash flow.
“These accomplishments are directly attributable to the superb staff of the Controller’s Office,” said Phillips. “In 40 years of leading organizations within the United States Navy and Lockheed Martin, I have never enjoyed a more dedicated and professional staff, and I thank Deputy Controller Beth Cissel and her team for their commitment to the County and to the taxpayers it serves.”
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.