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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-28 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, January 28, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 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 John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. The minutes of the January 21, 2026 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved the minutes. Chairman Horst called Prison Board to order at 10:03a.m. Prison Board was adjourned at 10:04a.m. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include: Vouchers in the amount of $2,436,265.31. Election Integrity Grant Program Post-Election Report being submitted to the Department of Community & Economic Development documenting the election expenses funded under the eligible expense categories for the November 2025 Municipal Election. Act 88 requires that the County submit a report within 90 days following a general, municipal, or primary election. For the period of July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. The total amount of expenditures that will be covered by this grant is $242,021.11. Election Integrity Grant Program Closeout Report being submitted to the Department of Community & Economic Development documenting the election expenses funded under the eligible expense categories for the time period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The total amount of expenditures covered by the grant were $520,094.68. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Hoskinson, Wenger and Rife to provide legal services to the Controller for issues arising under the official duties of the elected office at a cost of $15,888.84. This will be paid by the General fund. Franklin County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which sets guidelines and comprehensive framework to manage disasters within Franklin County in an effective and timely manner. The EOP is activated on an as needed basis and is designed to be used for all types of emergencies. The Franklin County Adult Probation Department was awarded $182,006.82 to provide supervision of those adult offenders that are sentenced by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to periods of Probation or Parole upon release from the Franklin County Jail. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Midwest Employers Casualty Company for renewal of workers' compensation insurance. This renewal results in a 6% increase from the previous two-year contract term at a cost of $214,060.00. This will be paid by the Workers Compensation Trust Fund. Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and Prime Care Medical, Inc. to reflect the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase for the year for Prime Care Medical, Inc. of 3.9% or $86,332.86. This CPI increase applies to medical services provided to the inmates. This will be paid by the General Fund. 2026 Certification of County Funds for the Franklin County Agriculture Preservation Program in the amount of $368,667.00 for the purchase of agriculture conservation easements pursuant to the authority contained in the Act of June 30, 1981 (P.L 128, No.43) known as the Agricultural Area security Law, as amended. Agreement between the County of Franklin and TK Elevator for a public elevator needing repaired to allow public access to upper floors. The elevator repair includes removing existing packing assembly, installing new manufactured-approved packings, seals, and wipers. The vendor is to reassemble jack head, adjust hydraulic oil as needed and cycle the elevator to confirm proper operation. Vendor is to inspect for leaks and return unit to service once testing is complete at a cost of $5,880.45. This will be paid by the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Lawrence R. Rife IV, Esquire to provide legal services to the Register of Wills for issues arising under the official duties of the elected office at a cost of $3,178.41. This will be paid by the General fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Lawrence R. Rife IV, Esquire to provide legal services to the Recorder of Deeds for issues arising under the official duties of the elected office at a cost of $3,178.41. This will be paid by the General fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Clinton T. Barkdoll, Esquire to provide legal services to the Treasurer for issues arising under the official duties of the elected office at a cost of $2,217.45. This will be paid by the General Fund. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. Ms. Gray introduced Planning Director Quentin Clapper who stated this action was for two bridge projects on West King Street in Chambersburg, which are federally funded and will be managed under a single construction contract. These bridges are located over the Conococheague Creek and Falling Spring Creek. The county is under contract for the engineering and design of these projects. To comply with federal funding requirements and timing restrictions, the county has delegated the authority for right-of-way acquisition to PennDOT, while using their own consultant for engineering and design. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-01 authorizing the acquisition of Right-of-Way as may be necessary to implement the project known as "West King Street Bridge Projects" by the Secretary of Transportation through Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on behalf of Franklin County. Voting as a block, on a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the reappointment of Amy Hicks, Pattie Nitterhouse, Jackie Mowen, John Flannery, Wendy Kipe, Kylie Belle Moore, and Steve Christian to the Board of Directors of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau to serve a one (1) year term from January 31, 2026 until January 31, 2027 and the reappointment of Bonnie Shockey, Beth Thoresen, Melodie Anderson-Smith, Paul Luka, Michael Ross, Casey Phebus, and Jamie Stoner to the Board of Directors of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau to serve a two (2) year term from January 31, 2026 until January 31, 2028. The Board reviewed the bid opening for Tax Bills & Mailers. The following bidders submitted a bid: Wolverine Solutions Group, Detroit, MI for $56,879.67 and Mercersburg Printing, Mercersburg PA for $52,036.00. Procurement Director Robin Harmon stated this is for the printing and mailing of our spring tax bills for both county municipal and per capita. Commissioner Horst asked when staff would have a recommendation. Ms. Gray confirmed with Ms. Harmon that they can come back in one week with a recommendation. Ms. Gray introduced Becky Brackbill, Danielle Beaver, and Marlise Ries to present the Leadership Development Project for Invoice Streamlining. Their presentation is attached and made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Horst a smart move. Commissioner Flannery asked when could we start. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that the presentation was concise yet comprehensive. Next, Ms. Gray introduced Fiscal Director Janelle Friese and CFO Teresa Beckner to November and made a part of the minutes. Commissioner Flannery asked to be corrected if his statement was wrong. In 2025 the county had significant savings in employment labor because they were budgeted for but not filled over a long time. Ms. Friese stated that was correct because there are natural vacancies that happen during the year and historically the county has budgeted for a full staff roster for the entire year. With there naturally being turnover and vacancies that is where those saving come from. Commissioner Flannery continued that in 2026 there was a change to how the budget was done to a target-based budgeting system and those vacant positions were removed. To the public it could be seen as cutting our labor expenditures, which was not the case. Mrs. Friese stated that was correct. Ms. Beckner stated difference in how it was budgeted. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:36 a.m. for the purpose of Real Estate matters. There will be no action required after the executive session. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to exit executive session at 11:12 a.m. The meeting was adjourned at 11:12 a.m. on a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ Dean A. Horst, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski *May be assisted by Copilot Bid List Printing and Mailing of Municipal, County & Per Capita Tax Bills Bids accepted until: 04:00 PMBid Opening: 10:00 AM Tuesday, 1/27/2026Wednesday, 1/28/2026 GRAND TOTAL - 2026 Њ͵‘ƚƌǝĻƩźƓ {ƚƌǒƷźƚƓƭ DƩƚǒƦЎЏͲБАВ͵ЏА Ћ͵aĻƩĭĻƩƭĬǒƩŭ tƩźƓƷźƓŭ ЎЋͲЉЌЏ͵ЉЉ Ќ͵ Ѝ͵ Ў͵ Џ͵ ƓĻǣƷ ǞĻĻƉ ŅƚƩ ƩĻĭƚƒƒĻƓķğƷźƚƓ