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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-18 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner Flannery joined remotely. 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 Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. The minutes of the March 11, 2026 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by Robert Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the minutes. During Public Comment, Communications Director Sheena Baker stated that the county had received 47 public comments about data centers as of this morning. None of the commenters supported data centers, and many raised concerns about environmental impacts, health effects, and the timing of the public hearing being held at 10:00 a.m. during the workday. Several residents and municipalities also expressed appreciation to the Commissioners for implementing measures related to the issue of data centers. Commissioner Horst explained that the 10:00 a.m. meeting time had been maintained because previous attempts to hold evening meetings resulted in very low public participation. Evening sessions also required opening the building, bringing in staff, and making additional arrangements that increased county costs. To manage expenses and reflect the limited turnout at night, the Commissioners kept the hearing at 10:00 a.m. He acknowledged that this timing is inconvenient for some residents and expressed apologies, noting that cost control and past attendance patterns were the reasons behind the decision. Valerie Jordan stated that she had previously asked State Representative Chad Reichard to pursue legislation requiring all data centers in the state to recycle their water, noting that surrounding property owners depended on those water supplies for their homes and businesses. meet their demands. She also .00 in equipment from Immigration and Customs Enforcement receive an additional $1 million in 2026, then the previously rejected $900,000.00 request for correctional officers now seemed reasonable. She also noted that the county had increased the Adult Probation budget line by $770,319.02, acknowledging that followup after inmate release was legally required. Ms. Jordan commented on local crime and inmate releases, and she encouraged them to consider similar technologies, such as groundmounted solar panels at the county jail and strategically placed electric vehicle charging stations, as potential revenue sources that could help fund higher pay for correctional officers. She then shared a personal experience of discrimination at age 74, explaining that someone in a building honoring American veterans had told her and her husband not to return the following year. She noted that her 76yearold husband was still working and that their income supported local foundations. She stated that she had filed a complaint and believed the matter had circulated back to those involved, expressing her dissatisfaction with the situation. Harry Rotz a lifelong resident and former farm worker with experience in restoration work, said he attended the meeting to become better informed and to share a few thoughts. He stated that he was not firmly for or against the current projects but felt the community was being overrun without the infrastructure needed to support the growth. He acknowledged that upgrading infrastructure would be costly. Mr. Rotz focused on the new power lines being proposed. He explained that he had tried to obtain a clear map showing the proposed routes but had been unable to access one, partly due to computer issues. Several neighbors regularly contacted him for updates, but he knew no more than they did. He said he believed the power lines were inevitable and could not realistically be stopped. He noted that the county already had a large number of warehouses and now faced proposals for data centers and solar panels. As someone who preferred how things used to be, he recognized that change was coming but hoped all parties in added that he hoped the project would follow the preferred route rather than the alternate ones. He asked the commissioners if they knew anything about the alternate route that has been proposed for the power lines. Commissioner Horst explained that, based on his understanding, the preferred powerline route was very similar to the route proposed during the previous attempt, with only a small adjustment near Falling Spring and the elementary school to shift it slightly away from that area. He added that the alternate route, which Mr. Rotz was already aware of, would come west from the substation and run close to Rotz certain whether it would pass directly through the property. Mr. Rotz believed it would run certified organic farm, make a sharp left turn. Commissioner Horst explained this route stayed a little farther West to avoid some of the high populated areas. His recommendation is DCNR land. Mr. Rotz added that he worked on the property where he proposed power line would cross the mountain. He said he had suggested placing the substation farther back on that property so the line could run straight down through it. The response he received was that doing so would be too expensive. He was told it was easier and cheaper for the project to cut through open fields instead. On a motion by Robert Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include: Vouchers in the amount of $112,283.56. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Brenize Outdoor Design and Maintenance to hire two technicians for the mosquito program from April 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026 at a cost not to exceed $47,814.60. This will be paid by the DEP Mosquito-borne Disease Control Grant. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. Planning Director Quentin Clapper reported that two farmpreservation sale agreements, one for the JEM Farm, located in Washington Township, totaled 93.39 acres, while the Heckman Farm in Peters Township totaled 35.68 acres, were before the commissioners for approval. He explained that once the agreements were signed, the county would move forward with settlement on both parcels. He stated that, if approved and preserved, these additions the program began in 1990. He also provided a broader update on the agricultural preservation program:1,500 acres were currently somewhere in the preservation process, ranging from newly selected farms to several 2023 farms still awaiting title work. 32 farms remained on the ve in the future. In recent years, new farms continue to express interest in joining the program, and he hoped that trend would continue as the county worked through the existing list. Commissioner Horst asked for an explanation of the funding on this between county, state and federal dollars. Mr. Clapper explained that each year the county went through an approval and certification process for the appropriation of agricultural preservation funds, which then had to be submitted to the state. For the current year, the county certified approximately $300,000.00 to the state. That amount was partially matched by state funds, and the county also received an additional state grant to supplement the program. Altogether, the combined county and state contribution for the year totaled about $1.4 million. On a motion by Robert Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the contract with multiple property owners for sale and purchase of agricultural conservation easements on the following farms: JEM: $233,475.00 and Todd & Vicki Heckman: $87,487.36. This will be paid from the Agricultural Preservation funds. The Board reviewed Proclamation #2026-05 for the purpose of proclaiming March15-21, 2026 4H week. Ms. Gray introduced Ms. Quinn Martin, 4H Educator for Franklin County, who explained that they were attending the meeting in recognition of Pennsylvania 4H Week. She color green yearround. She highlighted two major accomplishments from the 2025 program year. Franklin County held its first combined livestock show and sale, made possible by the new livestock barn at the county fairgrounds. For the first time, all livestock 4H clubs participated together in a traditional show and sale format. The event generated over $260,000.00 for participating youth in a single night. A partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank also allowed 21 animals from the sale to be processed and returned as meat to seven food banks within Franklin County, giving members a chance to see their work directly benefit the community. To strengthen engagement among older youth, 4H teens planned and hosted a Teen Leadership Academy for members ages 12 and up. Attendance was strong, and 95% of participants chose to remain involved by joining the Teen Leadership Council. This council played a central role in planning and decisionmaking for the program throughout the year, ensuring that activities were designed by members, for members. Ms. Adrian Davis, president of the 2026 Franklin County Teen Leadership Council, spoke about the impact of 4H. She explained that 4H was a powerful organization that allowed youth to be involved at the county, state, and national levels. She shared that she had been part of Franklin County 4H for ten years and that the program encouraged young people to step outside their comfort zones, explore diverse project areas, and develop as leaders. Ms. Davis said that 4H had been especially meaningful to her as a firstgeneration 4H member and a firstgeneration agricultural enthusiast in her family. She stated that the program helped her gain confidence in her future career goals, including her aspiration to become a veterinarian who could return to serve the rural communities that shaped her. She expressed gratitude to Franklin County 4H for giving her a platform to grow, develop purpose, and envision ways to give back. She thanked the Commissioners for their support and encouraged them to promote 4H involvement among youth in the community, emphasizing that the organization helped build the leaders of tomorrow. Ms. Davis noted that this year was bittersweet because it was her final year in 4H, as she would be aging out. She said she felt prepared to carry the skills she gained into college and her future career, continuing to make an impact in the way 4H had taught her. Ms. Kendra Keefer, the Vice President of the Teen Leadership Council, said she had not known what Ms. Davis planned to share but felt that each speaker added another layer to the 4H story. She explained that this was her first year becoming more deeply involved in 4H and being elected Vice President had been an exciting milestone for her. She said she was grateful to serve alongside Ms. Davis. Ms. Keefer also served as secretary for the Eastern Dairy 4H Club and noted that dairy and agriculture played a major role in her life twice a day. She said 4H had made a significant impact on her and that she hoped to remain involved for many years. She acknowledged that, like Adrian, her final year in 4H would eventually be bittersweet, though it was still far in the future. Ms. Jenna Davis explained that she participated in several clubs, including the Goat Club, where she served as secretary, the Horse Club, and the Teen Council, where she is the news reporter. She said 4H had impacted her life in many ways, helping her build knowledge about horses, goats, and leadership, and preparing her for the future. Ms. Davis also shared that the program had helped her form meaningful relationships, including some of her closest friendships. She noted that Pennsylvania 4H Week celebrated the impact of 4H members across the state and highlighted two ways the community could participate: attending an upcoming community spaghetti dinner hosted by 4H and Commissioner Horst said it had always been an honor for him to support the 4H clubs in Franklin County and beyond. He noted that he was a strong supporter of the livestock auction and said it was wonderful to hear how much meat had been returned to local food banks, calling it a true blessing and an example of giving back to the community. He added that with the three 4H members present, the county and participated in 4H, and said he looked forward to seeing future accomplishments from the program.Commissioner Ziobrowski told the 4H members that they had all done a very nice job with their presentations. He noted that one of the strengths of the program was the experience it gave young people in speaking confidently in front of others. He acknowledged that Ms. Adrian Davis had a bit more experience than the others and joked that if veterinary work did not work out for her, she could consider politics. He congratulated all of the members for their efforts and commended them on their strong performances. Commissioner Flannery said he believed 4H was a great organization and a major asset to the community. He thanked the members for the work they did and for the positive impact they had in Franklin County. He then directed a question to Ms. Adrian Davis, noting that he hated to hear someone so young say they were whether; after aging out, she saw any possibility of remaining involved with 4H in a leadership capacity in the future. Ms. Davis explained that one of the strengths of 4H was the opportunity for members to return in leadership roles after they aged out. She noted that although this was her final year as a youth member, 4H offered many ways for former participants to stay involved. Past members often returned as club leaders, volunteers, or mentors, helping guide the same programs that shaped them. She said former members could also serve as 4H volunteers at state leadership conferences, camps, and other events, acting as role models for younger participants. She shared that many older members she knew had left the program briefly and later returned to serve in leadership roles. Ms. Davis said she planned to continue being involved in 4H after aging out, contributing as a leader and volunteer at the county, state, or even national level. She emphasized that while she might be old in member years, she was still young in volunteer years and looked forward to giving back to an organization that had given her so much. Commissioner Flannery said he appreciated Ms. veterinarian, but that if that career path did not work out, politics seemed wellsuited to her as well. Commissioner Horst then read the proclamation which has been made a part of these minutes. On a motion by Robert Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the proclamation. Ms. Gray introduced Procurement Director Robin Harmon to represent the Procurement Department in order to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their emerging trends and topics of interest. Her presentation was made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Horst commented that Procurement involved much more than simply purchasing something. He said he appreciated the additional steps taken in the process, even if they occasionally slowed things down, because those steps protected both the county and its taxpayers. Commissioner Flannery Ms. Harmon and her staff consistently did an excellent job. He emphasized that he appreciated the way they protected the county and its taxpayers, noting that the extra steps in the process were a necessary part of government operations. He shared a personal example to illustrate the contrast between government procedures and private life, explaining that just minutes before the meeting he had arranged for someone to install gutters on his home, and the work would be completed by the next afternoon. He said that while he was used to that kind of quick turnaround and sometimes found the slower pace of government frustrating, he fully understood The Board conducted casting of lots for candidate order on the ballot for the Municipal Primary to be held May 19, 2026. The attached is an official copy of the casting of lots and is made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Flannery stated during new business that an earlier part of the meeting meetings in the evenings. He agreed with Commissioner Horsts comments that public turnout had not been as strong as hoped, particularly for the offsite meetings. He added that the county was still holding evening meetings once a quarter on the third Wednesday, ensuring that residents continued to have an alternative opportunity to attend outside normal business hours. Commissioner Flannery added that he wanted to emphasize the county still offered opportunities for residents to attend meetings in the evening. He noted that not all meetings had been moved back to 10:00 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. 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