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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-15 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, October 15, 2025 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst and John T. Flannery. Commissioner Horst welcomed District Attorney Brink and Sheriff Sites. He then presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. Commissioner Horst stated that Commissioner Ziobrowski would be unable to attend tonight due to a prior commitment. On a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Dean A. Horst; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. The minutes of the October 8, 2025 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Dean A. Horst; the Board unanimously approved the minutes. There was public comment from Valerie Jordan who emphasized the importance of public safety, noting that while crime was low in Hunterdon County, she was surprised by the situation in Franklin County and Chambersburg. She is concerned about rising crime and plans to attend a Chambersburg Council meeting to advocate for beat cops to increase police presence. She urged local officials, especially Kenneth Hock, to focus on crime in his own borough rather than elsewhere, and insists that public safety should be prioritized, even if it means raising salaries. On a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Dean A. Horst; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include: All bills presented and ordered paid in the amount of $749,062.39. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Letterkenny Industrial Development Authority (LIDA) to lease Building 426 of the Business Park. Building 426 houses the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services. The base rent is $1,200.00 annually. This will be paid by 40% from the General Fund for Elections and the Emergency Management Agency and 60% from the 911 Act 12 funding. Supplemental Appropriation for Aging in the amount of $187,200.00 that was received for calendar year 2025 budget. The increase to expenditures is offset by the additional revenue received. Supplemental Appropriation for Mental Health in the amount of $300,500.00 that was received for calendar year 2025 budget. The increase to expenditures is offset by the additional revenue received. Supplemental Appropriation for Children and Youth in the amount of $448,000.00 that was received for calendar year 2025 budget. The increase to expenditures is offset by the additional revenue received. Grant application to Department of Community and Economic Development in the amount of $90,324.47. The goal of this project is to provide stair chairs to all of the County- owned two-story buildings. This will provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations to individuals with physical limitations during an emergency. Fifteen stair chairs will be purchased and installed. There is no General Fund contribution. Agreement between the County of Franklin and County Commissioners Association of PA and PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency for a grant award in the amount of $2,000.00 for Recording and virtual technology for CJAB and subcommittee meetings. The remaining balance for the equipment of $29.13 will be covered by the Franklin County CJAB budget. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Gray provided a high- level overview of each of the actions. Ms. Gray introduced District Attorney Ian Brink to discuss the Grant application to the Department of Community and Economic Development in the amount of $82,613.27. Mr. Brink thanked Grants Director Melodie Hoff and his Chief Detective Scott Mummert for helping find this grant and applying for it. This grant request is for the purchase of two vehicles to be used by Franklin County District Attorney's Office Detectives, to conduct both criminal and drug investigations throughout Franklin County. They plan to utilize them for surveillance, which requires a nondescript vehicle; to navigate the county in support of all other Law Enforcement Agencies in the County, e.g. assisting at crime scenes, assisting with criminal investigations and providing training; for travel to conduct interviews of potential informants and locate witnesses throughout the region; and to liaise aw Enforcement Agencies, as well as Children and Youth Services and the Area Agency on Aging. There is no General Fund contribution. Commissioner Horst stated in his personal opinion that he really hopes we get the grant and that this was a great idea especially not using taxpayer money. Commissioner Flannery stated the vehicle used for undercover work has to be not recognizable by the make, model and color. He asked if something that is done to change the vehicle so it's not identifiable. District Attorney Brink stated without going into detail, yes. On a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Dean A. Horst; the Board unanimously approved the grant application. Ms. Gray next introduced Sheriff Ben Sites who thanked the Commissioners for allowing him to recognize Mr. Kody Heinbaugh and Mr. Andrew Thomas for successfully completing the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Basic Training Academy. This marks the first time the Commissioners have formally acknowledged such an achievement. Having gone through the Academy himself, he highlighted the intense six-month commitment it requires living away from home during the week, focusing solely on training, and relying on family support. He emphasized that while the Academy provides a foundational understanding of the deputy sheriff role in Pennsylvania, both individuals are still undergoing field training. Deputies typically receive 5060 hours of additional training annually. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Heinbaugh come from diverse backgrounds, one with a military career, the other with deep family ties to county employment. Sheriff Sites feels fortunate to have them on the team and appreciates the Commissioners for allowing this recognition, acknowledging the personal and family sacrifices involved in their 19-week training journey.Deputy Sheriff Thomas first thanked the Commissioners and Sheriff Sites. He expressed honor in serving in his current role following 20 years of military service and especially wanted to thank his wife for standing by him during his military service and she has continued to do so as he transitioned into law enforcement. Commissioner Horst then read the letter of appreciation that has been made a part of these minutes. Ms. Gray introduced Warden Heather Franzoni and Human Resources Director Tiffany Bloyer to give a Jail Operational Update. Warden Franzoni stated that currently the jail employees 52 full-time and two part-time correctional officers in addition to its administrative staff; another two full-time officers will join the roster and several are in the onboarding process. She and her staff continue to hold the open-door sessions for jail staff to hear their concerns and answer any questions. Ms. Bloyer stated that since January 2022, the county has interviewed more than 500 individuals for the correctional officer position. Of those 500-plus individuals, nearly 140 people were hired, including almost 50 in 2025 alone or over 40% of the staff that they are currently recruiting for to create a fully functioning staff complement, but turnover remains high. Based on feedback from those who quit, their schedule is the primary reason for their resignation Some have left for less money due to the unpredictability of the schedule and limited weekends off.Commissioner Flannery verified that there were 500 interviews since January of 2022. He then asked out of the 140 that were hired, how many are still working at the jail. Ms. Bloyer stated she would get that number for the commissioners. Next Commissioner Flannery asked how many correctional officers have been at the jail in 2022. Ms. Bloyer stated 96. Commissioner Flannery stated that it would be zero. If there were 140 hired and only 52 at the jail currently, that means a negative 40. Commissioner Horst asked if the three that were just hired are they starting the academy next month. Warden Franzoni stated year, but she does have them start job shadowing and hit the floor as soon as they are hired. Ms. Gray stated that to address the jail's staffing challenges, Franklin County leadership is in ongoing negotiations with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). These talks, which began in late 2024, have included offers and counteroffers by both parties and, at times, multiple days of negotiation attempts alongside the head of the state Bureau of Mediation. They provided the union several offers and considered the counter offers but disagreed with the union on why they are leaving. offer in the final proposal was a Pitman schedule and creates a 12-hour schedule and includes two out of four weekends off. Though officers' exit interviews do not uniformly indicatesalary is a reason for leaving the jail, the county's proposal also includes an 8% increase to an officer's salary, the maximum sustainable adjustment the county can make at this time. It is the highest one-time wage adjustment the county has ever offered a single group of employees. The AFSCME proposal, by comparison, includes a different type of 12-hour schedule and a 15.5% average increase in officers' salaries. The county does not believe this schedule would be the best long-term solution but has agreed to try this model in exchange for a trial period of the county's preferred model. AFSCME opposed considering a move from its suggested 12-hour model to the county's preferred schedule. The 15.5% increase also far exceeds the county's budget capacity. In early September, the county asked AFSCME to present its latest proposed solution to union members for a vote. AFSCME refused, which effectively ended mid-contract negotiations. The county anticipates negotiations could be stalled until sometime in the first quarter of the new year before talks can resume. Commissioner Horst asked for the Pitman schedule to be explained. Warden Franzoni explained that it is a 12-hour rotationof four platoons, a day shift and a night shift working two days with two days off then working three days and have three days off. They would have a three-day weekend every other week. The fight would be day shift or night shift. need any direction at this time. This was just an update due to the pause in the negotiations. There was public comment from Valerie Jordan who thinks that our jail is starting at less than $22 an hour and should have all the contracts online for people to read them. Looking at the preliminary budget preliminary general budget for fiscal year 2026, noting that while the county reduced its deficit by $27,500 it only saved them $0.50 based on their property assessment. There was public comment about Jail operations from: Stephen Knouse Brock Hohman Michelle Stevens Bob Cason Julie Marks Greg Sterner Randy Clendening Christian Conner Timothy Mills Valerie Jordan Jamie Clendening Allen Rice Gary Summers There was public comment about Transourcefrom: Lori Rice Debra Case Aaron Kauffman Allen Rice Jason Coldsmith The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. on a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Dean A. Horst. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ Dean A. Horst, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski