HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-16 Commissioner MinutesWEDNESDAY, September 16, 2026
The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, September 16, 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.
There was public comment from John Norman who addressed the ongoing tax issue
raised by the Chambersburg B orough, expressing concern that the B orough had been blaming
the c ommissioners for the lack of a tax reassessment since the 1960s. Mr. Norman questioned
why his personal taxes had increased and described the B orough's tax rates as astronomical.
He noted that the B orough appeared to take money as needed. He also raised several
questions regarding the Pennsylvania Lottery, stating that his mother, aged 85, had not received
any lottery benefits despite claims of support for senior citizens. He inquired about the amount
of lottery funds received by both the B orough and the C ounty. Further, he described a situation
involving a coworker who had not paid local taxes for three years, despite living and working in
Chambersburg, and questioned how such loopholes existed.He advocated for auditing the
books and examining these gaps in tax collection. Finally, h e asked about the process and
requirements for becoming a commissioner, including any special training, and indicated
interest in running for the position in the future, noting retirement and a desire to stay active.
Commissioner Horst thanked Mr. Norman for his questions and service. H e addressed
the concern about rising taxes, clarifying that the C ounty had not increased taxes since
approximately 2012 or 2013. He explained that the county tax rate accounted for about 18% of
the total tax bill, with the remainder going to the school district s.
Commissioner Flannery expressed agreement with nearly all of the points raised. He
acknowledged understanding of the concerns and thanked Mr. Norman for attending and
voicing those concerns.
Commissioner Ziobrowski informed Mr. Norman that the petition period for running as a
commissioner begins on the second Tuesday in February, requiring a specific number of
signatures. He clarified that Earned Income Tax is typically 1 percent in PA. It is allocated 1/2
percent to the municipality. Unless there is a voter referendum to raise it, it is 1/2 percent to the
school district. That is the case in Greencastle Antrim School District. Chambersburg Area
School District voters approved 1.2% to the school district. With the ½ percent to the
municipalities, that amounts to 1.7% total. Franklin County does not receive any of the Earned
Income Tax. Regarding higher taxes compared to the 1960s, h e stated that increases are due
to rising millage rates, which must be adjusted as property assessments remain unchanged. He
described the assessment process, noting that property values are multiplied by a state-
provided ratio for tax appeals. He encouraged Mr. Norman to appeal his taxes if the assessment
seemed unfair. He emphasized efforts to manage c ounty expenses efficiently and refrained
from commenting on the practices of other entities, expressing empathy for Mr. Norman's
concerns and thanking him for attending.
Jeremy Ring, a C ertified R ecovery S pecialist with Noah's House, spoke on behalf of the
recovery community. He emphasized the positive impact of funding, noting that the money had
been and would continue to be instrumental in saving and changing lives. He acknowledged
that the funding might raise concerns for some, but stressed gratitude for its role in supporting
recovery efforts.
On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board
unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include:
Minutes from September 16, 2026.
Vouchers in the amount of $511,122.35
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Children's Aid Society of Franklin
County to provide emergency shelter and group home placements at an average daily rate of
$400.00. In-home services are billed hourly at an average rate of $90.00. Rates reflec t a 40%
County match of 20% paid by the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Rotz Law Offices, LLC for Guardian Ad
Litem services provided at a rate of $75.00 per hour. Funding will be 50% State with a required
County match of 50% paid by the General Fund.
Lease agreement between the County of Franklin and Rodney C. Mose & Cindee L.
Mose for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program that covers total rent plus
any landlord-covered utilities at a cost of $10,800.00 for the period of October 1, 2026 t hrough
September 30, 2027. 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. Partici pants are linked with supportive
services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. This
will be paid from the HUD grant.
Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and Moetivations Inc., for
the Pennsylvania State Police Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN)
Administration approved process based upon the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Ser vices
Security Policy (CJISSECPOL) Version 6.1, which allows contracted dispatchers to access
Criminal Justice Information (CJI) while performing duties for our 911 Center. There is no
change in the cost of this contract.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and St. Paul United Methodist Church for the
rental of the church as a polling location for the November 3, 2026 General Election and the
May 18, 2027 Municipal Primary at a cost of $100.00 for each election. This w ill be paid by the
Election Integrity Grant.
Grant application between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Commission on
Crime and Delinquency to request $250,000.00 for the 2026-2027 Intermediate Punishment
grant, to provide an enhanced Probation with Restrictive Conditions plan bringing togethe r
mandated supervision as well as Restorative Sanctions (RS) and Restrictive Intermediate
Punishment (RIP) to eligible offenders. There is no cost to the County.
Quote between the County of Franklin and Data Center Warehouse for replacement
WiFi access points to replace older models that are no longer compatible with future software
patches at a cost of $17,024.00. This will be paid by an allocation across all Coun ty operations.
About 68% is estimated to be paid by the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Communications Supply Corporation for
renewal of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
(HVAC) equipment maintenance and support in the primary data center at a cost of $34,660.00.
T his will be paid by an allocation across all County operations. About 68% is estimated to be
paid by the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Conococheague Institute for a full day
rental of designated area for Recovery event. This location includes picnic tables and
wheelchair accessible bathrooms at a cost of $200.00. This will be paid by the Opioid
Settlement - Recovery Support Funds grant.
Subrecipient agreement between the County of Franklin and Waynesboro Community
and Human Services (WCHS) for Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding
in the amount of $43,452.60 for Homelessness Prevention, Rapid Rehousing, HMIS and
administrative support.
Subrecipient agreement between the County of Franklin and South Central Community
Action Programs, Inc. (SCCAP) for Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding
in the amount of $111,547.40 for Emergency Shelter, Rapid Rehousing, HMIS and
admin istrative support.
The appointment of Joanne Perry to the Human Service Block Grant (HSBG) committee
for a two (2) year term of September 28, 2026 until September 28, 2028.
The reappointment of Carrie Gray to the Susquehanna Regional Transportation
Authority (SRTA) and the Central Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (CPTA) for a five (5)
year term of September 16, 2026 until December 31, 2031.
The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Gray provided a
high-level overview of each of the actions.
Ms. Gray introduced Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROCS) Specialist Joey Bailey
and Franklin/Fulton Drug & Alcohol Administrator James Eagler to present the Franklin County
Drug and Alcohol program to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with
their emerging trends, topics of interest and any concerns they may have. Their presentation,
Recovery Month
Commissioner Horst dedication
and strong passion for recovery. He commended the effectiveness of the recovery work and
thanked Mr. Bailey and his colleagues, noting that the community was grateful for their
contributions.
The Board reviewed Proclamation #2026-2 2 for the purpose of proclaiming September
Recovery Month. Commissioner Horst then read the proclamation and it was made a part of
these minutes. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board
unanimously approved the proclamation.
Next, Warden Heather Franzoni and Human Resource Director Tiffany Bloyer gave an
update regarding the jail. Warden Franzoni presented a high-level overview of jail operations,
staffing constraints, and the current status and future goals of the facility. Following an
unsuccessful union vote in August, Warden Franzoni explained that the team had to reassess
thei r approach. The proposed settlement had included a hybrid scheduling option for current
employees, allowing them to retain their original schedules or opt for an eight-hour shift, while
new hires would be placed on a twelve-hour schedule designed to improve work-life balance.
She emphasized the importance of competitive wages and attractive schedules for recruitment
efforts, noting that the unfavorable union vote and decisions based on individual interests limited
the tools available to address staffing challenges. Since the vote, additional challenges had
arisen, further impacting the facility's ability to move forward. Warden Franzoni then turned the
discussion over to Human Resource Director B l oyer to elaborate on these challenges.
Ms. Bloyer reported that following the both union vote s, each of which resulted in a "no"
outcome, several employees resigned the first time within a day or two due and the second
time within hours - disappoint ed over the lack of schedule changes and the desired work-life
balance. She acknowledged that scheduling has been a longstanding issue and had expressed
hope that the agreement and voting process would have address ed staffing, hiring, and
retention challenges. Unfortunately, these challenges persist despite the ir efforts.
Warden Franzoni stated that her focus was on addressing current challenges rather than
revisiting the union vote or assigning blame. Following the unsuccessful settlement vote, funds
originally intended for increased wages and retention bonuses were redirected to support out-of-
county h ousing efforts. Over the term of the union contract, nearly half a million dollars had
been allocated for settlement agreements, but these funds were ultimately used to address
immediate operational needs.
Ms. Bloyer discussed recent hiring efforts, expressing excitement about a new hire from
Greencastle and highlighting the effectiveness of outreach to students in school districts. She
noted ongoing presentations scheduled for October and emphasized that these recruitment
efforts are yielding results. She described improvements in the onboarding process, including
collaboration with O ccupational H ealth to schedule appointments for candidates on the day of
their interview, making the process more convenient and enticing. Over recent months,
feedback from new hires has indicated concerns about workplace culture and scheduling. In
response, Ms. Bloyer and Warden Franzoni committed to creating a welcoming environment
and supporting new employees through regular check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days. These
meetings are intended to ensure new hires feel included and have the necessary tools and
resources to succeed in their roles at the jail.
Commissioner Flannery noted that when discussing employment history with a new hire,
there could have been topics the individual was not comfortable addressing. He asked if there
was a way for new hires to be truthful during such discussions, and whether it was possible to
use their information without them implicating others.
Ms. Bloyer explained that, as with all employees, unless someone reported an issue
such as sexual harassment or another matter requiring a formal investigation, confidentiality
would be protected. She assured that the team would do everything possible to maintain
confidentiality when employees shared concerns that needed attention, including situations
where training might be insufficient. The department had already implemented a virtual survey
for new hires to complete midway through their orientation or probatio nary period, allowing the
team to monitor progress. However, she noted that the jail required a more personal, one-on-
one process. The team planned to pilot face-to-
evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.
Warden Franzoni added that Director Bloyer and she planned to develop data points and
themes, removing names to protect confidentiality. She believed they could identify all issues
her team were also
exploring new options for hires, focusing on work-life balance, job satisfaction, and retention
improvement. Multiple management workshops had been held to address inmate and staff
safety, as well as other retention strategies. Warden Franzo ni emphasized the importance of
trying new approaches, noting that repeating the same actions without change would not yield
different results. The new options were in early development, and Warden Franzoni committed
to reporting progress to the Board of Commissioners. She expressed optimism about their
justice partners for their support during challenging times. Warden Franzoni reaffirmed her
priority to ensure every staff member returned home safely at the end of each shift and that
those in custody remained safe and secure. She pledged to uphold her oath as warden and to
keep the Board of Commissioners and county administration informed as staffing and
operational needs evolved. Warden Franzoni concluded by expressing gratitude for the
opportunity to provide a high-level overview and welcomed any que stions or comments.
Commissioner Horst thanked Warden Franzoni for her dedication to ensuring the jail
was a safe and positive workplace for staff. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of
other staff members present and acknowledged them for their commitment to finding solutions.
He noted the difficulty in finding answers, especially given the challenge of working with a union
that was unwilling to participate in resolving issues. This lack of cooperation was described as
one of the most frustrating experiences he had encountered, particularly when negotiations
were conducted in good faith to improve the workplace. Despite these frustrations, h e remained
open to alternative solutions, such as the possibility of a booking center, and acknowledged the
success of recent recruiting efforts.
Warden Franzoni reported that eight candidates attended the recent job fair, which was
a significant increase compared to the usual turnout of two or three. This raised the total
candidate count to 12 or 14. One new hire had already started, and two more w ere scheduled to
trend in onboarding numbers, with the possibility of additional hires in the coming week.
Commissioner Horst inquired whether, for new hires, the County was required to
maintain the same schedule or if adjustments could be made. Warden Franzoni reported that a
new scheduling option had been implemented for new hires. All new hires were started on a 12-
hour schedule to meet institutional needs. The administration explained the new 12-hour option
to incoming staff, which aligned with areas where staffing was most needed. Under this
schedule, new hires received every other weekend off, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Overtime
was provided after eight and one-quarter hours, and new hires continued to receive shift
differentials and all benefits outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. Deputy Warden
Scott met with new hires on their first day to ensure they understood the new schedule and
process. Warden Franzoni emp hasized that this initiative was in its early stages and could not
yet be evaluated for success, but expressed hope that it would improve retention and quality of
life for new hires, allowing them to spend every other weekend with their families.
Commissioner Flannery reflected on his own work history and expressed concern that
there appeared to be a culture issue at the jail. He noted that some senior staff seemed to be
making decisions based on their own interests rather than those of the organization. He
emphasized that such behavior was contrary to his understanding of success in business and
life. He stated that, until the culture changed and staff prioritized the organization as a whole,
ongoing struggles were likely. He acknowledged he did not have answers for how to change the
culture but appreciated the efforts of the jail staff and expressed hope for positive change in the
future.
Warden Franzoni expressed appreciation for the support received and stated that the
team was hopeful that the early stages of recent changes would address ongoing concerns
raised by Director B l oyer's team regarding culture, schedules, and work-life balance. She noted
that corrections was a growing field and referenced national studies highlighting the challenges.
Warden Franzoni explained that she was determined to ensure new staff had a good quality
work-life balan ce, believing that healthy staff contributed to healthy and safe inmates, fostering
a positive culture for both. She emphasized that this principle had always been ingrained in her
corrections career and affirmed her commitment to maintaining it, regardless of challenges.
Commissioner Ziobrowski paraphrased the situation at the jail, stating that a handful of
senior corrections officers were earning upwards of $90,000.00 per year by selecting the most
desirable Monday through Friday schedules and taking unlimited overtime, as permitted by
union rules. The remaining staff were required to work less desirable shifts, including nights and
weekends, with mandated overtime, wh ich contributed to retention challenges. He noted that
when a vote was held to address both the scheduling and pay issues, the proposal failed largely
due to the influence of senior corrections officers who resisted change. He asked Warden
Franzoni to confirm the accuracy of this summary. Warden Franzoni confirmed Commissioner
Ziobrowski's summary as accurate. She provided payroll figures, stating that the top five
overtime earners had collectively received $146,591.40 in overtime up to the last paycheck.
Additionally, some of the top earners had gross wages of $86,000.00, $83,000.00, and
$81,000.00, also up to the last paycheck, not for the entire year.Commissioner Ziobrowski
observed that, based on the payroll figures provided, senior corrections officers were likely to
earn six-figure salaries by the end of the year. Warden Franzoni confirmed Commissioner
Ziobrowski's observation.
Commissioner Ziobrowski noted that the high earnings of senior corrections officers
would also be reflected in their pension calculations upon retirement. Warden Franzoni
confirmed Commissioner Ziobrowski's observation and added that, for one individual, 42% of
their gross salary for the year had been earned through overtime. She noted that this
information was obtainable through any right-to-know request.
Commissioner Ziobrowski remarked that people often act in their own sel f-interest,
referencing the concept of "WIIFM" (W hat's I n I t F or M e). He expressed conflict over senior staff
acting primarily for themselves, noting that there should be loyalty to those who hired and
supported them. He observed that such loyalty appeared to be lacking. He highlighted that a
contract was offered which would have allowed senior staff to keep their positions while
providing new hires with more desirable shifts, but the contract was prevented from passing d ue
to senior staff influence. He stated this was unfortunate and clarified that his comments were not
anti-union, but rather a general observation about fairness, noting that both businesses and
unions can fail to treat people fairly. He concluded that the union did not seem to be
represe nting the best interests of many correction officers.
Warden Franzoni acknowledged and commended the leadership of AFSCME from
Harrisburg for their professionalism and guidance during the bargaining process, stating that
they made their best effort to lead local correctional officers toward decisions beneficial for the
entire bargaining unit. She expressed disappointment with the outcome of the contract vote,
noting that despite the opportunity for senior staff to re tain their positions and for new hires to
benefit from improved schedules, the proposal was voted down. She emphasized the persistent
challenge of overtime in corrections and the importance of equal distribution of manpower. She
expressed concern that staff who cited excessive hours and poor work-life balance in exit
interviews also voted against measures that could have alleviated those issues. She reaffirmed
her commitment to both staff and inmates, stating that she cared deeply about the jail and was
heartbroken by the missed opportunity to help future employees.
Commissioner Ziobrowski commended the staff for their perseverance and dedication,
stating "kudos to you folks for pushing this rock uphill."
Commissioner Flannery inquired about the average age and retirement proximity of the
handful of senior corrections officers referenced by Commissioner Zi obrowski. Ms. Gray
indicated that this information would need to be researched and could be provided at a later
date. She noted that the ongoing efforts to address staffing and operational challenges felt like a
Sisyphean task but emphasized the team's commitment to making Franklin County a safe and
welcoming environment for new employees. She expressed appreciation for Warden Franzoni
and Director Bloyer and their teams' persistent and positive approach.
Ms. Bloyer reported that they had been actively recruiting individuals aged 18 to 20 for
county employment. She emphasized he r commitment to promoting the C ounty as a positive
workplace and expressed pride in both the C ounty and the work performed.Ms. Bloyer stated
that new hires should feel welcomed and treated a ppropriately as employees. Bloyer noted
concern when hearing that departing or new employees felt mistreated and expressed hope that
ongoing efforts with Warden Franzoni would help address these issues. Ms. Bloyer affirmed that
new hires deserved the opportunity to enjoy their jobs and to voice concerns if their experience
did not match expectations. She concluded by reiterating their dedication to promoting the
county as a great place to work and highlighted the success of the career tech program and
other positive developments within the C ounty.
Ms. Gray expressed appreciation for the support and patience of those involved and
assured the group that updates would be provided as progress continued.
On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 11:0 7 a.m. for the purpose of reviewing
potential litigation. There will be no action required after the executive session.
On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board
unanimously approved to reconvene into regular session at 11:58 a.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:59 a.m. o n 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