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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-09 Commissioners Meeting WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2025 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst, John T. Flannery, and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner Horst presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. The minutes of the July 2, 2025 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the minutes. There was public comment from Valerie Jordan who stated that she sent an email about tattered flags she is seeing around the County. She believes that the supporters of President Trump need to start respecting fold and dispose of the flag because of the boy scouts.She then spoke about the relic that was blessed by Pope John Paul II. She admires the new pope because the three of them believe in the human race and what she was going to state today comes back to all of that. In August, you begin to discuss the 2026 county budget. She took a further look at the budget approved this fiscal yearwhich hurts the employees of our county the most for FY25. General Government was cut while Judicial Services increased by $800,000.Public Safety decreased by $600,000 which is something she wished was not done. Human Services increased by $2.6 million. Community Support and Public Works decreased by $3.4 million. Capital and Debt Service was cut by $8.4 million while the county annual debt service is only 4% ($6.6 million for FY25) of the entire budget. So, the cuts to Capital and Debt Service were more in line with capital expenses. Support to Other County Operations was cut by $1.5 million all the while we all knew the county has grown by 20% since 2020. Total cuts for FY25 came in at $15.9 million while increases to the county budget came in at only $3.4 million. At the end of the day, none of our county tax bills were lower county cuts means the reassessment. The commissioner should figure out how to offer more to county departments in day they retire. Personally, she never met a county employee whom she all been respectful and friendly. Property tax growth grew by $600,000 in FY25 thanks to places like Penn National. With growth comes a demand for more services, especially in the areas involving children and our senior citizens. The historical data found in our 2025 county budget shows the following tax base growing over a 35-year period, as shown as follows: 1990: $790.4 million. 2020: $1 billion. 2025: $1.66 billion. In closing, Ms. Jordan requested the put the They all paid to have it kept there. She is also going to ask Superintendent Biggerhow much it costs to put their meetings on YouTube because asked to have the Commissioner meetings put on YouTube into perpetuity. ? She will ask Mr. Bigger because he answers everything of hers because she knows it costs nothing. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously all consent agenda items to include: All bills presented and ordered paid in the amount of $945,839.94. Lease agreement between the County of Franklin and Rodney C. Mose & Cindee L. Mose for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program that covers total rent plus any landlord-covered utilities at a cost of $10,200.00 for the period of July 1, 2025 through July 1, 2026. The County holds the lease with the landlord and the participant subleases from the County. Program participants are responsible for any utilities not included in the lease rent, up to 30% of their adjusted gross income. Participants are linked with supportive services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. This will be paid from the HUD grant. Grant Application to the Department of Community and Economic Development for 2025 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) requesting a grant in the amount of $290,690.55 to provide Emergency Shelter, Rapid Rehousing, and Homelessness Prevention. Funds will also assist in covering the cost to enter information into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and provide for a 3.75% administrative cost allowance. South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) and Waynesboro Community and Human Services (WCHS) are the subrecipients requesting funding for the 2025 ESG program. Each subrecipient will provide the dollar-for-dollar match for their grant request. Amendment to an agreement between the County of Franklin and Montgomery Technology Systems, LLC dated June 11, 2025 to correct a typographical error in the original agreement. The contract amount, scope of work and timeline are not changed. Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance (TMCA) for reimbursement in Section 6 to be increased by $17,201.82 from $688,000.00 to $705,201.82 from the term which ran from April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Ms. Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Women-In-Need to pass federal STOP grant funds to the County. This grant will fund a portion of employee wages and benefits for an attorney in the District Attorney's office who handles cases of violence against women. The grant runs from January to December of 2025 with a total reimbursable amount of $31,250.00. Commissioner Horst stated that he thinks to help out with the attorneys office and the employees there. Anything we can do to help protect the women in our county is a great thing. He thinks it is a wonderful idea and hopes we get the funding from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved. The Board conducted a bid opening for Sheriff Mid-Size SUV. Ms. Gray stated there are a total of two bids. The following bidders submitted bids per the attached document titled Franklin County Sheriff Office Mid Size SUV Bonner Chevrolet and Hondru Chevrolet. Chief Deputy Daniel Foy stated that the SUV is needed to replace their aging fleet of vehicles with more modern vehicles. It will primarily be used by the Feild Operations Division for Protection From Abuse (PFA) services, receiving weapons that they take to take back to their armory. A lot amounts of firearms. It will also be used for extraditions when traveling multiple want a marked law enforcement vehicle when having an inmate in the back traveling and also for administrative duties. Commissioner Horst then read the two bids which are attached to these minutes. Commissioner Flannery asked when we go through this bid process for when we need to buy a vehicle like this, what do we do and how does it work. Who has the opportunity to bid on it and what restrictions might there be? Ms. Robin Harmon, Director of Procurement, stated that when we do a bid process, it is required by county code to be advertised in a local newspaper. Every time we do a bid it is advertised that way everybody, in our area, sees the opportunity and has the opportunity to read the documents and respond. They want to cast as wide a net as possible and get as much competition as possible. They also publicize their bids on a site called Public Purchase where people register with the county to get notifications. This enables them to know when the county has a bid out by getting an automated email notification. If they know of anyone else interested, they send the bid to them directly. At a high level, anyone can reply to the bid. Most bids do have minimum qualifications. For this one you have to be a registered car dealer and have a license to sell cars because we award the low bid we want to make sure we get a new car with all the warranties. They want to make sure that the county is getting a good value for the money. Commissioner Flannery then continued that one of the things that could be seen as a frustration from someone like him that likes to barter with people. We have two bids come in, if we look at the lowest bid, there is no possible way, he knows county code plays into this, that we can go back and say that we will take awarded the bid but you have to cut the price a little bit more. Mr. Harmon said she would let the solicitor chime in but by code you go by the lowest bid and the bid is the bid. We can not change it. Mr. Sulcove simply stated no. Commissioner Flannery asked why. Mr. Sulcove stated county code. The Commissioners can reject all the bids if you find them too high and they can be found nonresponsive. They can be issued but other bidder and ask for lower price. Commissioner Flannery stated that if they did that it would extend the their vehicle. Ms. Harmon stated that with the current market volatility the longer we push things out, the higher the price may be. This particular project is funded by a grant and that grant has additional requirements that are even stricter than the county code. the most conservative process by law. That way they can make sure they comply with the bid requirements. Commissioner Flannery thanked them for the explanation andas a point of note, it isa negotiatelike an individual would be able to in the private sector. Commissioner Horst asked if we offer and notify local dealers to make sure that they have an opportunity. Ms. Harmon continued that it is advertised in the local newspaper and assume all local folks see it there and some of the local dealers have registered on Public Purchase get the automated notifications. Commissioner Horst noted that neither of the bids are from Franklin County dealers. Commissioner Horst stated that the colors are different for both vehicles and asked Deputy Chief Foy if that mattered. Deputy Chief Foy stated that they did ask for certain colors for exterior and interior. Commissioner Flannery asked if there were any other unique at in performing the due diligence in the next week to make sure that the model year, interior and exterior colors, to the degree that they were specified,that those specifications were met. Ms. Harmon stated that they did list a preferredmodel or approved equivalent to give them the opportunity to say they believe this would do better for the County. There was only one request for an equivalent. Generally only GM and Ford sell to governments. The other manufactures, in general, put a lot of effort toward government sales focused more on consumer sales. The one that was asked to be looked at as an approved alternate was a Kia. Chief Deputy Foy stated that the Kia was not capable of having a prisoner cage in the back. There is no company that makes a cage that can be installed in the back of that vehicle. Ms. Gray stated the staff could review the bid submissions and be able to make a recommendation at the July 16, 2025 meeting. Ms. Gray introduced Election Director Susan Christophel to present the Election program to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their emerging trends, topics of interest and any concerns they may have. Her presentation was made a part of these minutes.Commissioner Flannery that theydo a phenomenaljob ay enough about the Registration office, and helps. He knows that we have some representation here today from the press sitting in the back row and he waits that day if the most part areflection of you and the staff here. He will say his favorite part of election night is there are 73 precincts out there and the Commissioners are sitting at the table, front table, and Commissioner Ziobrowski is running back and forth delivering results while Commissioner Horst and hesit up front and theyalways place a betat 8 PM of the 73 precincts,who is going to be the last one to show up. You would think it would be Warren or someplace up north and he thinks this year it was one of the Chambersburg precincts. Ms. Gray stated she believed so and that the bet is for bragging rights only. Ms. Christophel stated that there is also a bet of what time the first one comes in. Commissioner Horst went next stating that Ms. Christophel and her staff and the Registration office do a fabulous job. He knows being new to the seat here a little bit, it was impressive to come in are blessed as a county to have those individuals there to do that and they do a great job. He then asked how many registered voters there are in Franklin County. Ms. Christophel stated that she thinks there are around 101,000 but she would ask Voter Registrationto verify. Commissioner Ziobrowskistated when anyone asks,what do the commissioners do? What is important? He always saysthe most important thing they do as commissioners is augment the safety and security of the citizens. Second most important thing is to guarantee fair and open elections and the third most important is the social safety net that they operate for the folks that need the social a plethora of other things that they take care of, but those are the top three and elections are number two right behind safety and security. They take what the elections department does very serious. He then asked if she had described the machines that are used foree or hear. Ms. Christophel explained that was the ExpressVote. There is actually has braille and arrows. The meeting was adjourned at 10:41 a.m.on a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ Dean A. Horst, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski Bid List Franklin County Sheriff Office - Mid Size SUV Bids accepted until: 04:00 PM Bid Opening: 10:00 AM Tuesday, 7/8/2025Wednesday, 7/9/2025 Price 1. Bonner Chevrolet, 2025, White/Black $57,110.00 Alternate 1 $ Kingston, PA Alternate 2 $ 2. Hondru Chevrolet, 2026,Sterling Gray/Black $59,813.00 Alternate 1 $ Manheim, PA Alternate 2 $ 3. Alternate 1 Alternate 2 4. Tuesday in April th Tuesday in May rd WHEN ARE ELECTIONS? Presidential Primary is the 4 The Primary is the 3The Election is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in NovemberMunicipal Elections are odd numbered yearsGeneral Elections are even numbered yearsPolls are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm WHAT DO WE DO? Oversee the petition process for PrimariesBallot layoutPerform logic and accuracy testing on voting equipmentPrepare and distribute election suppliesTrain Poll WorkersPost Election procedures POLLING LOCATIONS VOTING PRECINCTS AND Townships and boroughs are divided based on number of registered votersPrecincts boundaries follow census linesMust be handicap accessibleHave adequate parking with lighting Franklin County is divided into 73 voting precinctsFranklin County has 70 Polling Locations ELECTION INTEGRITY GRANT Six apply to ElectionsTwo apply to Voter Registration Helps the County pay for ElectionsAwarded by the StateAmount received is based on number of registered voters in the CountyEight Categories canvassing - canvass and canvass - CATEGORIES ELECTION INTEGRITY GRANT election procedures - Payment of staff for prePhysical security and transparency for preand canvassingPostPrinting of ballotsTraining of election officialsPayment of staff at polling placesManagement of voting equipment and polling place materials HOW WE DO IT Property ManagementThe Board of ElectionsVoter Registration Information Technology ServicesArchivesCommissioners’ OfficeVolunteers from across the County