Adams County commissioners review 18‑month vision plan, map next steps for transportation, housing and the Amish community

American StructurePoint’s project manager Rachel Cardes presented a draft vision plan to the Adams County Board of Commissioners after a 14‑month engagement process that included public events, surveys and steering‑committee sessions.

"It's been about 14 months or more, almost a year and a half of getting to know Adams County," Cardes said, describing three phases of work—educate, explore and empower—and a recommended task force structure that would assign responsible parties to near‑term, midterm and long‑term initiatives.

The plan identifies seven priority areas: transportation and infrastructure, housing, economic development, culture and livability, education and health services, youth engagement, and specific outreach to the Amish community. Cardes said the draft pairs prioritized recommendations with an implementation playbook that lists funding options and action steps so the plan does not simply sit on a shelf.

Commissioners and staff welcomed the report but pressed for more precision on several points. Commissioner Stan questioned a demographic figure in the plan, saying the draft’s Amish population number appeared low. "I think the statistics on the Amish population is significantly lower than what the vision plan has," he said, suggesting the figure is closer to 18,000.

Board members also discussed how the vision plan relates to the county’s legal land‑use documents. Commissioners emphasized that the vision plan is intended as an aspirational, guiding playbook rather than a substitute for the county's comprehensive land‑use plan or zoning ordinance. The chair said the county will expect periodic updates from the task‑force leads and that mini task forces should report back to the board on progress and funding needs.

Public commenters urged attention to transportation gaps that affect access to basic services. Resident Wiley told commissioners that a lack of public transit has prevented some people from attending evening GED classes and accessing other services, a point commissioners said the plan explicitly addresses.

Cardes said the full draft and supporting materials will be posted online at www.advancingadamscounty.com for public review and that the consultant team is open to revisions before the board considers formal adoption. Commissioners said they expect to discuss a proposed ordinance to formalize the vision plan at a future meeting after members have had time to review the draft.