Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-22 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, October 22, 2025 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, October 22, 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. County Administrator Carrie Gray asked to move 4.04, Presentation of the Divorce/Support/Juvenile Hearing Offices to 4.01; to move 3.05, Community Connections lease agreement to regular 4.02; and to move the remaining regular agenda items down two on the agenda, which would begin by moving 4.01, Human Resources agreement with Aetna Life to 4.03. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda. The minutes of the October 15, 2025 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved the minutes. There was public comment from Kim Wertz who asked if the 21.1% increase for the agreement with Aetna insurance was anticipated or was a surprise. Commissioner Horst stated that it wasn't quite a surprise, but the large increase was a surprise. Valerie Jordan stated that she hoped that the Commissioners read her email about Transcource. On the agenda was a discussion about the state budget impasse. She recommended that since the county is negatively impacted by the budget not being passed to keep the state and federal funding in the preliminary budget at the same as last year. She also commented about the size and staffing levels at the Franklin County Jail. Kim Wertz asked with the budget impasse is there anything in the state law to withhold tax money from the state until the state budget is passed so the county can use the funds for programs. Commissioner Flannery thought it was a great question and idea, but there is nothing in the law that allows for that. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that he wanted to make it clear that the purpose of the agreement with Quest Diagnostics for the biometric screenings is to have employees use the information for their own knowledge and some have learned more about their own health in earlier stages, and it saves them a lot of money in healthcare costs. The county does not get the individual's information. On a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the amended consent agenda to include: All bills presented and ordered paid in the amount of $2,368,235.04. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Department of Agriculture for Food and Beverage License renewal applications for Saint Thomas senior center at a cost of $41.00 each. The license is required in order for the centers to serve congregate and home delivered meals to Franklin County seniors. This will be paid by the PDA Aging Block Grant Title III-C. Agreement between the County of Franklin Area Agency on Aging and Franklin County Career and Technology Center - Practical Nursing Program to place students in the program at the assigned school in such numbers and for such period of time as are mutually agreeable to both. The FCCTC-Practical Nursing Program shall be solely responsible for the selection of outcomes. The County shall have the absolute right to accept or reject students selected by the FCCTC-Practical Nursing Progra observational experience. There is no cost to the General Fund. Franklin pursuant to the Pennsylvania Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Act. Agreement between the County of Franklin and David C. Cleaver, Esquire to terminate original contract due to his retirement he can no longer fulfill his duties as Solicitor to the Controller. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Hoskinson, Wenger & Rife to provide legal services to the Controller for issues arising under the official duties of the elected office for the time period of October 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 at a cost of $3,972.21. This will be paid by the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Illuminated Integrations to replace the old service agreement with Sage to service any failing or broken AV equipment in the courtrooms in the New Judicial Center at a cost of $8,000.00. This will be paid by the General Fund. Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and Brightspeed Broadband, LLC to increase the internet port speed to 1G for Building 426, at a cost of $985.00 per month for a period of three years. This will be paid by the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Doceo for two printers for use in the Domestic Relations office at a cost of $1,940.00. This will be paid by 63% from Federal reimbursement and 37% from the General Fund. This is the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Early Intervention Annual Report of Income and Expenditures. Total FY 24-25 expenditures were $1,923,809.00 and County Share, paid with General Funds, was $155,822.00 The balance of funds, $7,014.00 will be returned to the State when the report is reconciled and certified. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness LLC to continue offering biometric screenings for our employees in part with the County's Wellness Program. A $500.00 program set up fee is required for 2026. The ongoing cost will be $56.16 per participant. Monthly charges are expected to vary slightly. This agreement will cover the period of February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027. The screening is a Heart & Glucose Panel with Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Cholesterol/HDL Ratio, Triglycerides and Glucose readings along with height, weight, calculated Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure and waist circumference. This will be paid by an allocation across all operations. About 68% is estimated to be paid by the General Fund. Agreement renewal between the County of Franklin and HM Insurance Group for costs associated with Stop Loss insurance for our medical insurance. Stop loss insurance (also known as excess insurance) is a product that provides protection against catastrophic or unpredictable losses related to claims expenses with our health insurance as a self-funded entity. The cost of this insurance is built into the cost of our medical insurance premiums. For the 2026 plan year we will retain a specific deductible of $195,000.00 and an Aggregate deductible of $50,000.00. The cost of the Stop Loss Insurance is $690,941.00. This will be paid -funded benefits fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and the Cumberland County Prison to house Franklin County inmates at the Cumberland County Prison. This agreement is based upon availability of bed space per the County of Cumberland. Cumberland County Correctional Facility is PREA certified and abides by all PA Title 37 regulations. The cost per inmate includes housing and meals at $100.00 per inmate per day. This will be paid by the General Fund. Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and PennDOT for a bridge rehabilitation project for Burnt Mill Road Bridge through the federally funded Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program. This version will replace the previously approved but not fully executed version, following minor modifications required by PennDOT. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Origami Risk LLC to extend the contract with Origami Risk for another year at the listed rate in the originally executed contract. Origami Risk provides integrated SaaS solutions designed to help manage critical workflows leverage analytics and engage with stakeholders. Their comprehensive RMIS serves as a command center for identifying, reducing and financing risk across all departments. It will continue to serve as the County's online incident reporting platform for workplace injuries and incidents at a cost of $55,375.00. This will be paid by an allocation across all operations. About 68% is estimated to be paid by the General Fund. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. Ms. Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. Ms. Gray first introduced Kristen Hamilton to present the Juvenile Hearing Officer 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 Horst thanked Ms. Hamilton for a great and very informative presentation. Ms. Hamilton stated that the county has a very good system. The Franklin County Children and Youth, Juvenile Probation, and the Franklin County Courts have made this a priority, and she believes the county will be much better off. Commissioner Flannery stated that he sits on the Children and Youth Advisory board that meets quarterly, and the storiesare very sad and depressing to him. He asked Ms. Hamilton how she is able to do her job after hearing some of the stories and situations. Ms. Hamilton stated that she is the product of foster care. She is very passionate about being an advocate for the children. She holds onto the success stories. They are most proud of the stories of keeping families together. James Stein then talked about the Divorce/Support Hearing Officer positions. He stated that divorce can only be approved by a judge in the Court of Common Pleas, but he hears many cases that have assets that need to be divided and alimony established. As the Support Hearing Officer, he works closely with Domestic Relations about appeals about support. Typically, those that come before attorney which presents a different set of challenges Commissioner Horst asked if there is a high divorce rate in the county. Mr. Stein stated there are about 450 divorces filed each year in Franklin County. Commissioner Horst asked if all the cases come before him. Mr. Stein stated no, he only sees about 10 to 20 percent of the cases filed. Commissioner Flannery thanked Mr. Stein for his presentation and hopes to never need his services. He asked if the proceedings get heated and how do they deal with that situation. Mr. Stein stated that there are bailiffs in the courtroomand they try to de-escalate in the way you communicate with the parties. When there are no attorneys and its clearly communicated on why it has to be this way you can avoid those issues. Ms. Gray introduced Planning Director Quentin Clapper to answer any questions around the lease agreement for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing. Commissioner Horst stated they wanted to reestablish why this is before the commissioners and some of the stipulations of the HUD Grant. Commissioner Flannery wanted to walk through the process and asked if this was pass-through money from the federal government and ask if they have no jurisdiction over local law enforcement or the courts then what can they do. An individual that receives these funds, if they commit a crime they go to jail. Mr. Clapper stated that was correct, if a court would rule against them. Commissioner Flannery continued that by the commissioners approving the agreement to pass-through the money to the landlord, we're not bypassing something that they have no authority to do, a judicial order or local law enforcement. Again Mr. Clapper stated that was correct. Commissioner Flannery stated the money goes from HUD to the County, to the landlord that is willing to house the individual. Mr. Clapper stated that was correct. Commissioner Flannery then went on to state that the public should be aware that the Commissionershave to stay in theirhave control over the judicial system or law enforcement and all they are doing is rubber stamping money for an individual from HUD to the landlord. Ms. Gray stated that partof the confusion is the contracts are coming before the countyevery time they have to be renewed. Before there was no county involvement because the agreement was between the landlord and the tenant. That was changed a number of years ago due to the grant rules. Commissioner Horst asked if the only time the board can say no,is when someone is convicted of distributing and manufacturing drugs. Solicitor Sulcove stated that under the one strike rule, yes.Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that sometimes all options are suboptimal, and they have to select the least-worst out of those sub-optimal options. They are not endorsing who is deemed eligible for the housing lease to be homeless. The lease agreement between the County of Franklin and Luminestfor the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program that covers total rent plus any landlord-covered utilities at a cost of $9,144.00 for the period of November 1, 2025 through November 1, 2026 was approved. 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. There was a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski for discussion purposes and was approved by the Board. Ms. Gray introduced HR Generalist Morgan Yiengst to discuss the agreement between the County of Franklin and Aetna Life Insurance Company to renew health/prescription coverage for County retirees and spouses, age 65 and older, that are eligible under the County's Post Employment Healthcare Policy. Rates per member per month have increased significantly, by 21.1%. No changes to the plan design are being made. The attached renewal package outlines the plan's structure and financial terms, as well as the increase in rates. Signatures are needed on the Rate Exhibit to accept the proposed rates and plan design. Cost to the County is based on retiree eligibility criteria for each individual member and varies slightly from month to month depending on changes in enrollment. This will be paid by the Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB) Fund. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that Franklin County is the only county that has fully funded their OPEB account in Pennsylvania. Commissioner Flannery asked how many people are currently receiving this benefit. Ms. Yiengst stated 180. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved the grant application. Ms. Gray introduced Melanie Smith, Community Development Block Grant Program Administrator, and Colleen Tidd, Senior Planner, to speak about Resolution 2025-14, General Application Certification, Language Access Plan Certification, and Disclosure Report for the Fiscal Year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application, along with other required documentation to the Department of Community and Economic Resources (DCED) for funding during the upcoming fiscal year. Ms. Smith explainedthat the total grant amount was $358,280.00 awarded with a mandatory 18%, or $64,490.40,for administration fee which leaves $293,789.60 to be allocated to applicants this year. Commissioner Flannery asked for some examples of what the funds are used for. Ms. Smith stated that there are ADA improvements to sidewalks,beacon projects for disabled individuals, and housing projects. Ms. Tidd explained that most of the projects are focused on low to moderate income areas. Commissioner Flannery then verified that the funds are not given to individuals but to municipalities and nonprofit organizations. Ms. Smith stated that most of the funds this year are going towards housing projects and land acquisition for the purpose to create low to moderate income housing. Ms. Gray added that Chambersburg and Waynesboro have their own direct allocation from this grant and called entitlement areas. This funding is all other areas in the county that are not Chambersburg or Waynesboro. On a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the application agreement was approved. Ms. Gray next introduced Chief Fiscal Officer Teresa Beckner to discuss the Pennsylvania State Budget Impasse. Ms. Beckner stated that there are several counties that are implementing furloughs, reducing or closing services, started spending and hiring freezes, or getting loans to pay bills. Franklin County currently has a $2.2 million per month net cash outflow. ask for cuts to services or program operations at this time but asked for the Boards support to begin contingency planning should the budget remain not passed by the end of the year. Commissioner Horst asked how long the County was still okay for. Ms. Beckner stated the end of the year. Commissioner Horst asked that they start contingency planning. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, the 10 that Ms. Beckner stated are going to go under before we do as we can borrow money if needed. He Commissioner Flannery stated that months ago he had asked when the County should start to worry about this and that her timing and preparation for this is truly appreciated. Ms. Gray stated that providers that the County works with would also appreciate knowing the logic and rationale of Franklin County and if there are no service reductions planned, that will be helpful to share with them. The degree that we can continue to talk with our community partners that will be helpful with their own contingency planning. full statement is attached and made a part of the minutes. Ms. Gray introduced Warden Heather Franzoni and Human Resources Director Tiffany Bloyer to give another Jail Operational Update. Ms. Gray stated she understood that the commissioners took the public comment at the end of the meeting last week to heart and staff wanted to look into those concerns and provide an update. Warden Franzoni reviewed data reported through ordinary Occurrence Reports (EORs) which looks at incidents involving inmates and staff. This year's report will be published at the beginning of 2026 but looking back at the past three years, there has been no significant increase in reportable staff assaults, inmate on inmate assaults, disturbances or hostage situations. There has been no reportable disturbance in the past three years, including riots. When compared to six peer counties with similar inmate populations, Franklin County has lower rates of violence than two of the counties that have four times the incident rate and there is an absence of disturbances or hostage incidents across all six of the counties. Last week they performed a staff assistance drill and staff received assistance on the opposite side of the building in approximately 13 seconds. Ms. Gray stated that they are not trying to state that this not some risk. What they are presenting to the Board is the information that they look at to determine if there are any increased to risk or safety. Warden Franzoni review those EOR reports, as discussed and Human Resources Director Tiffany Bloyer looks at internal information from workers comp claims. Ms. Bloyer stated that the number of workers compincidents are down by half compared to last year. Commissioner Horst asked how many. Ms. Bloyer stated there were 18 claims in 2024 and currently there are nine this year. Turning to public comments about perceived low wages, Ms. Bloyer continued that Franklin County is not the lowest paying jail in the market study area. While Dolphin and York counties, which are third class counties and we are fourth, pay more we do have a higher starting wage then Adams County and upon completion of the academy, correction officers make more than those in Cumberland County. Commissioner Flannery asked if the average wage of a correction officer is $25.00 per hour with the shift differential. Warden Franzoni confirmed that is correct and stated that the starting was is $21.93 per hours and is increased by $0.50 per hour after completion of the academy. She said that there is also a second and third shift differential. Commissioner Flannery stated that some are getting significant amounts of overtime as well from ten to 30 hours a week. Ms. Bloyer stated that it varies by the person. Commissioner Flannery continued that at $25.00 an hour with 10 hours of overtime works out to about $70,000.00 a year. He then asked how much, on average, do they get in personal time off (PTO). Ms. Bloyer stated those with zero to five years, their contract is 23 or 24 days. Commissioner Flannery asked if those included holidays. Ms. Bloyer stated that since it is a 24- off. Commissioner Horst asked with the wage difference, are we $0.50 cents lower? Ms. Gray stated that Adams County starts at $21.50, Franklin starts at $21.93 and with completion of the academy raises to $22.43, Cumberland County starts at $22.30, Dauphin starts at $26.00, York starts at $30.03, and Lancaster starts at $29.50. Commissioner Horst wanted to clarify that the academy is an internal training, and the correction officers are not being sent elsewhere away from home or traveling like the Sheriff academy does. Commissioner Ziobrowski suggested that many of the concerns expressed by the correction officers are likely the same as when we are at a full complement of officers, and retention is not as challenging - it's a difficult job. But the mandated overtime and schedule uncertainty that exists now are issues that need to be addressed with the union. Commissioner Horst asked if there are any ways besides Facebook that recruitment is being done. Ms. Bloyer stated that that are just short of going door to door, she is attending job fairs, radio ads have worked very well, and there will be a new program starting in January at CareerTech for public service. Commissioner Flannery asked for clarification that a new hire has no foreseeable future weekend off. Warden Franzoni stated that it can take some time as it just depends on the shift bids and their seniority and what relief days are available. Ms. Gray reviewedthe counbest and final offer to the union, respecting the hard work and the dedication to those that are here, was the Pitman schedule, a retention incentive of up to $5,000.00 paid incrementally, as well as base pay and back pay adjustments for current employees as a one-time cash bonus, and no mandated overtime on the 12-hour schedule except in cases of facility wide emergencies. This is in addition to the already agreed upon 2.5% increase each year. The union has regressed now to asking for a $4.00 an hour increase. The increase to the base pay, one time incentive, and pay back equates to a seven to eight percent budget increase overall. The proposed $2.50 increase was a 15% increase. The offer last week of $4.00 would increase the budget by 22%. Warden Franzoni stated she just want to kind of put it on the record too that we have really great staff out at the jail who truly still serve with pride and still truly serve with honor for the badge and inmates who may try to create a disturbance, but our security team immediately identified those individuals and those individuals are moved to restrictive housing placed on security status, given certain disciplinary procedures. She feels very confident in Deputy Warden Scott, his security team and being able to identify any threat both to other inmate safety and staff safety and being able to mitigate those concerns as they come through. It is a jail. There are going to be incidents, but she still will always stand strong and support her staff and her administrative staff in keeping both the inmates and the staff safe and she just wanted to put that on record. The meeting was adjourned at 11:51 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 STATE BUDGET IMPASSE –FISCAL IMPACT and FORWARD PLANNING TALKING POINTS October 22, 2025 As we are all 2025-2026. Franklin ly our programs, relies heavily our and Over the past two weeks, how are responding to the budget impasse. For example: Armstrong County Allegheny County: has implemented hirings. Columbia County: has sshort-term loan and is holding bills longer than normal. Crawford County: has implemented a ped all $50; has daily meetings review onsidering furloughs and a bank loan. County: Has sshort-term loan; began furloughing ; and evaluatingprograms for. Northampton County: Wayne County: Is reviewingtravel, training and supplies provider reviewing Treasury Budget Bridge program. Westmoreland County reimbursements for providers. Here in Franklin County, despite under 2024- f approximately $2.2 million per month. Fortunately, Franklin County has managed its reserves responsibly, allowing us to weather situations like this. But about what funding levels will look like a budget is passed. : For the to seniors 29Aging unding, we will exhaust the remaining $550,000 in reserves, requiring General Funds support to sustain . For , this was to be the third year of a planned funding . Not only is a potential95,000, the amount we gained last year. Continuing under these general fund obligation of $, 2026 budget under development. I am not at this time. What I am requesting ningshould the impasse extend tothe end of the year, or if the funding We will keep the Board informed ensure Franklin County remains resilient and prepared, no matter how the state budget unfolds.