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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-05 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, November 5, 2025 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, November 5, 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 October 29, 2025 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the minutes. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the consent agenda items to include: All bills presented and ordered paid in the amount of $1,511,821.97. Approve voucher for election poll worker pay in the amount not to exceed $75,000.00. Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from fiscal year 2022 in the amount of $5,117.50 due to savings on an Environmental Review for the 2023 Habitat for Humanity project. This amendment allows pass through of the remaining funds and will bring their total amount for acquisition to $40,207.24. The Board approved the job description for Intake and Intergovernmental Supervisor in Domestic Relations. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. Ms. Gray introduced Chief Deputy Sheriff Dan Foy to discuss the supplemental equipment. Funding is provided through a stipend from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program. Chief Deputy Dan Foy stated that since the County was part of the agreement with Homeland Security before October 1st, the Department was given a stipend for tactical equipment. He reviewed the various equipment that they requested. These are items that they took out of their previous budget requests due to budget constraints. Commissioner Z crazy about some of the things ICE is doing nationally but is confident that our Sheriff's Department is doing its completely lawful duties in supporting ICE and not stepping outside the boundaries. He asked if the items are to be used specifically just for the enforcement of customs and immigration or for all of the duties regardless of what it has to do with. Chief Deputy Foy stated that was correct. Commissioner Horst added that the use of these funds to offset the budget constraints and to upgrade things is a good use of the funds. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the funding. Ms. Gray introduced Human Resources Director Tiffany Bloyer to present the Employee of the Month for October. The Franklin County Commissioners, on behalf of the STAR (Special Thanks And Recognition) committee proudly presents the Employee of the Month award to Ms. Haleigh Dunkle has been employed with Franklin County since February of 2024. She currently serves as a Caseworker in Children and Youth. The selection for the October 2025 Employee of the Month was determined by the STAR Committee. There were 16 nominations, three of which were for Haleigh. Human Resources Director Tiffany Bloyer read the nomination forms which are attached to these minutes. Ms. Nicole Weller, who accepted on behalf of Ms. Dunkle, stated that she agrees with all of the nominations and knows that she will be thrilled to have received this honor. Commissioner Horst stated when you hear words like loves to help others, and positive attitude, it makes you happy and proud that she works with us. He then congratulated Ms. Dunkle. Commissioner Flannery stated that he has an understanding what Children and Youth has to do, and he appreciates the effort that they do every day. He then congratulated Ms. Dunkle. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that often the Employee of the Month has had the opportunity to help save a life or save money but its wonderful to recognize someone who is reliable, steady, professional and has a positive attitude because that is what makes everything run well in this county. He then congratulated Ms. Dunkle. The Commissioners presented a check to Samantha Logsdon, CEO and President, Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance, for the employee dress down fundraiser that was held in October. Keri Kenney, HR Coordinator, said that employees raised a total of $805.00 for the cause from 147 employees working in 25 departments. Ms. Logsdon stated they appreciated everyone's support and they are funded by this community for this community. They start with education and love teaching in the county. With these funds they will provide care packs, financial aid with rent and mortgage assistance, food assistance, and utility assistance. Within the last year they have provided $8,000.00 in rent and mortgage assistance and $7,000.00for prosthetics. They are also working with the community to make sure that those who speak Spanish, Napoli, and Haitian Creole can also access their services and education. Commissioner Horst said what you do is an excellent representation of what faith-based organizations need to do. He thanked her for stepping up, hearing the call and for reaching out to help with food and rent and other essentials that the community needs. He thanked the employees for their continued generosity. Commissioner Flannery first thanked Ms. Kenney and the employees for their generosity. Next, he thanked Ms. Logsdon for her great work as it touches so many people and that this disease has affected his family. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that, as some many know, his wife passed away from Breast Cancer and that Cumberland Breast Cancer Alliance gave tremendous emotional support and he appreciates everything that they do. Ms. Gray introduced Solicitor Elliott Sulcove, Esq.to present the program to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their emerging trends, topics of interest and any concerns they may have. His presentation was made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Horst stated that he personally appreciates the wisdom and advice that Mr. Sulcove presents to the commissioners and he provides good ideas of how to move forward and protect the county. Commissioner Flannery wanted to clarify that in many cases Mr. Sulcove gives advice and it's up to the commissioners, if they choose to follow that advice or not. Mr. Sulcove agreed. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if he could be compared to a Primary Care Physician. Mr. Sulcove stated that in a lot of ways, yes. There are areas where they have special knowledge,such as Department of Emergency Services, exemption and tax appeals and Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA). These are areas that a lot of s have specialized knowledge and sometimes they do require outside council counsel but his office tries to keep within the office as he does have some knowledge. Ms. Gray added that one thing the County worried about when moving to a firm was the challenge of a firm being able to provide legal context within the operations of the county. Having an individual here all the time provided them with that experience to make that legal recommendation knowing how the county operates. Mr. Sulcove specifically and Black and Davidson generally has stepped up to that challenge because he is here when the County needs him and is able to understand the operationsconcern was never realized and that is largely due to Mr. Sulcove and his work ethic. Ms. Gray introduced Warden Heather Franzoni, Human Resource Director Tiffany Bloyer, and Fiscal Director Janelle Friese for an update on jail operations to keep the Commissioners appraised of staffing and other matters. Warden Franzoni discussed that 28 inmates have been moved to neighboring counties which has allowed for one housing unit to be closed down and another housing unit to a more manageable population. This has led to eliminating some posts and reduced overtime. go into detail as to where those inmates were moved to for security purposes. She is grateful for the neighboring wardens. Commissioner Horst asked if there has been a relief of pressure on the staff with the transportation of those 28 inmates. Warden Franzoni stated that the elimination of those two posts each shift enables management to move people where needed when a matter arises and allows some correctional officers to go home after eight hours. Commissioner Flannery asked how we are doing with hiring and training of new correctional officers. Ms. Bloyer stated that as of tomorrow there will be 54 full-time filled positions filled. As of November 20th, there will be 55 filled positions and there are currently six pending. If someone clears today, they will start tomorrow. For part-time, there are two positions filled and one pending with more interviews scheduled throughout the end of this year and the beginning of next year. Ms. Bloyer continued by stating that they have talked to Ms. Marks on Monday about grievances including the bidding and lock in procedures for scheduled time off. Warden Franzoni had reached out several times over the past six weeks but was unable to reach her to discuss the changes that had to be made due to the staffing issues. They have asked Ms. Marks to go back to the Union and ask for solutions and will meet with them to have further discussions on this and other grievances. Commissioner Flannery stated that when discussing settling a grievance without a solution, that is what you are doing right now. You are updating the Board with changes that could rectify the current situation and grievance. If this works out, eliminating six spots a day plus trying to bring people on and get them trained, is working on that goal of trying to solve this issue. On our part, we are making some kind of effort to resolve that grievance. Ms. Bloyer stated that was correct. Commissioner Horst asked if in the search for new Correctional Officers if they have expanded their reach into different avenues to find more employees. Ms. Bloyer stated they have and looked at a few different avenues, not just job fairs. Commissioner Horst continued that during the evening meeting the Union presented some of the issues of safety to staffing, got him thinking that in other forms of business you can find temporary work. He asked if that was an available option for this. After doing some of his own research he has found that there are a few companies out there that have temporary Correctional Officers. He wondered if staff had a chance to look into anything like that. Ms. Bloyer stated they have done some cursory research. Next Ms. Friese went over some of the cost comparisonsif inmates were transferred to neighboring county jails, including the extreme of housing all the inmates. When looking at housing all of the inmates in outside jails, the estimated total cost was around $13.5 million compared to the current expense budget at the jail of $16.7 million. At first this appears to result in significant savings; however, the expense budget is the gross expenses of the jail. They also inserted a number of assumptions to arrive at that figure, including a $90.00 per day per inmate cost of jail beds, which is the average rate of the current contracts that the county has. The highest contract is $100.00 per day per inmate, which is the federal rate, and it is not unforeseeable that that would be the rate in the future. When using $100.00as the assumed cost per inmate per day, the cost of the outside county model increases by $1 million and more expensivethanthe way the jail is run now.Warden Franzoniconcluded with somenon-financial impacts: some inmates,such as juveniles, and all contracts state that the partnering facilities reserve the right to deny or return inmates at any time. The next factor is the access to courtsas well as family and community supports.Also, it is required by law that all inmates coming in must be booked andcleared for incarceration. Lastly, one female and one male housing unit must be maintained for short-term detention, court transport, and release processing.Commissioner Flannery asked if stafflooked into creatinga centralized jail with bordering counties and both counties shareand operate under one roof.Ms. Gray stated a regionalacademy for the trainingof officers. Spossible to have a regional opportunity for locally incarcerated and will look into that nextif the Commissioners would like. The meeting was adjourned at 11:04a.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