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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-23 Commissioner MinutesWEDNESDAY, September 23, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst and John T. Flannery. Commissioner Horst welcomed Representative Chad Reichard and D istrict A ttorney Ian Brink. He stated that Commissioner Ziobrowski was unable to attend today. He then 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 Dean A. Horst; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. There was no public comment. The Board met with Human Resources Director Tiffany Bloyer and Chief Deputy Controller Etta Rotz for Salary Board m atters. Also, in attendance was District Attorney Ian Brink. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Dean A. Horst; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include: Minutes from September 16, 2026. Vouchers in the amount of $2,383,586.94. 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. T ransfer of opioid settlement funds in the amount of $2,000.00 to the Franklin/Fulton MH/IDD/EI Department to support a recovery event. All funds shall be expended in accordance with the opioid settlement agreement, including the provisions outlined in Exhi bit E. Transforming Food Access grant will focus on safety improvements for the Veterans Affairs -Military Share food distribution site, including: better temperature control of delivered products, more visible and clear traffic control signs to reduce injury an d accident risk during mobile distribution, protection of food product during inclement weather to reduce risk of delays or cancellation of distribution efforts. The Central Food Bank will reimburse 50% of the total amount and the remaining 50% will be cov ered by the Human Service Block Grant Funds. This is a reimbursement grant of $3,600.00. There will be no cost to the County. Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Agriculture for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to extend the agreement until September 30, 2027. Agreement between the County of Franklin and The Mental Health Association of Franklin & Fulton Counties to provide comprehensive peer support programs that connect certified peer specialists with individuals who have a mental health diagnosis, co-occurrin g disorders, identified mental health needs, or a desire to advance their personal recovery at a cost of $15,000.00. This will be paid by the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc. (HRG) for a work order under the county retainer agreement with HRG for inspection of the 14 'small bridges' (spanning 8 to 20 feet) owned by Franklin County at a not to exceed pri ce of $43,600.00. This will be paid by County Liquid Fuels funds. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. M s. Gray stated that this was a dditional appropriations for the Sheriff s office to make purchases using 287g stipend revenue, including items such as: security equipment at one of the Magisterial District Judge offices, cameras / video equipment for the K9 unit, drone and related software, throwable robot, training supplies and tactical equipment, A utomated External Defibrillator (AED) machines, and vehicle upfit t ing decals and camera in the amount not to exceed $150,000.00. Commissioner Flannery noted that the requested equipment was standard and clarified, for the record, that no Flock cameras were involved. Approved security cameras were for a Magisterial District Judge office, a car camera for in-vehicle use, and a K9 camera. Commissioner Horst stated the drone is not connected to anything; it runs on a SIM card. Commissioner Flannery expressed strong support for the S heriff using 287 g funds, emphasizing the belief that departments generating their own revenue should be able to spend it. Ms. Gray stated the S heriff reports that the fund restrictions are equipment and technology related purchases. Commissioner Flannery 20 officers. Ms. Gray stated that was correct. Commissioner Horst added that the security equipment was wands fo r the security office r s at the security stations as they needed to be replaced from time to time. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Dean A. Horst;the motion was approved. The Board condu cted a bid opening for Delivery and Pick Up of Election Equipment and Supplies. Ms. Gray stated there was one bid. Procurement Coordinator Frank Patrone stated that the bid is for the pickup, delivery, and setup of e lection e quipment and supplies at our 73 polling locations and then taken down and put back in storage in a secured location for the f all. Commissioner Flannery asked who was used in the past. Mr. Patrone stated that we had used Ramar in the Spring The following bidder submitted a bid per the attached document titled Delivery of Election Equipment and Supplies Fall Ramar Moving System s, Fredrick MD at $24,6 00.00. Commissioner Horst asked if staff would need one week or two. Ms. Gray stated that staff had indicated they could perform the due diligence in a week and there was room on the agenda for consideration of the recommendation next week. Ms. Gray introduced Representative Chad Reichard to present a Citation for Pennsylvania State Trooper Rowland. Representative Reichard AED equipment for the Sheriff's Department and introduced a brief success story involving law enforcement and AEDs, highlighting the quick response of Franklin County Dispatch and Trooper Roland, with April Dail y from WellSpan invited to provide further context. Ms. Daily, a paramedic with WellSpan, thanked the Commissioners and Representative Reichard for recognizing Trooper Ro w land. On June 7th, emergency responders, including Ambulance 19, Medic 2311, Squad 41, and PSP, were dispatched to a cardiac arrest in Hamilton Township. Trooper Ro w land arrived with an AED and administered three shocks before paramedics provided advanced care. The patient regained consciousness and was transported to Chambersburg Hospital, later discharged on June 11th. Ms. Daily credited Trooper Ro w actions and emphasized the importance of AEDs and law enforcement in the community. Representative Reichard thanked Ms. Daily and noted the rapid response time, with Trooper Ro w land arriving on scene within four minutes of dispatch. He commended Franklin County DES and Trooper Ro w land for their extraordinary actions, which went above and beyond routine duties. Representative Reichard presented a citation from the House of Representatives recognizing Trooper Ro w Representative Reichard continued that he had one other citation to present to Ms. Gray, recognizing her as the 2026 Outstanding County Chief Clerk by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) at its 140th annual conference. The House of Representatives congratulated Ms. Gray for her exemplary service and contributions to the Commonwealth. Ms. Gray introduced Ms. Cori Seilhamer, Mental Health Program Specialist, to present a Mental Health program to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their Mental Health Contracted Housing Commissioner Flannery requested clarification on bed availability and need, asking whether current and upcoming facilities, including the new Shippensburg location, would provide sufficient beds to meet demand. Ms. Seilhamer stated no . Commissioner Flannery inquired about the current shortfall in bed capacity, expressing concern about whether existing and planned facilities would be sufficient to meet demand. Ms. Jennifer Hutch in son stated there was an extensive waiting list for all facilities. Ms. Gray explained the Human Services B lock G rant and its 3% mandatory county match. She noted that committee decisions impact program funding and that all allocations are managed within the grant budget. Commissioner Horst expressed gratitude for the efforts of everyone in the department, including the individual seated in the back. The County Commissioners were commended for their outstanding work, especially for maintaining progress despite limited funding sources. The speaker acknowledged that the team's ability to keep operations running smoothly was remarkable and congratulated them on a job well done. The meeting was adjourned at 10:53 a.m. on a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Dean A. Horst. 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