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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-10-21 Commissioner MinutesWEDNESDAY, October 21, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst, John T. Flannery and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner Ziobrowski acknowledged the passing of Mr. Melvin Clites who was an election judge for many years and served the County honorably. His wife is a former County employee, and our condolences go out to his family. 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. There was public comment from Valerie Jordan who stated that she had reconsidered her opposition to reassessment after reviewing increases in land values. She also expressed concern about funding shortfalls, wage disparities, and proposed raises for county employees and correctional officers. She questioned how federal immigration-related funding had been used and urged the Salary Board to consider higher raises for county employees. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include: Minutes from October 14, 2026. Vouchers in the amount of $2,668,519.78. Aging Program Directive (APD) form from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging for a lobby certification and disclosure regarding certification of contracts, grants, loans and cooperative agreements with Franklin County Area Agency on Aging. T he Records Improvement Committee (RIC) authorized the quote from Southern Computer Warehouse (SCW) for funds to be moved from the RIC account to the County to purchase a new Hewlett-Packard (HP) Inc. - HP DesignJet SD Pro 2 MFP 44" multifunction printer/sc anner for use by the Archives and Records Management Department and to provide printing services to other county departments at a cost of $21,474.89. Social Services DBA Bethesda Lutheran Services for placement services offered at an average daily rate of $370.00 per day. This is a 5% increase compared to last fiscal year's c ontract. Funding will be 80% State funded with the required applicable 20% County match to be paid by the General Fund. Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of PA, Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) for FY 20 25-20 26 Needs Based Plan Budget. An amendment is required if there is a variance of 10% or more between cost center categories. This allows us to shift funding to the appropriate cost categories. There is no impact to County share. Amendment to the agreement between the County of Franklin and Chambers Apothecary for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and mental health medications for Good Wolf Treatment Court (GWTC) participants. This contract allows the GWTC grant to provide fundin g for GWTC participants who are utilizing their services who do not have insurance. This contract minimizes costs for participants and supports their recovery and success in the program. This will be paid by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)Treatment Court Grant. Approve voucher for election poll worker pay in the amount not to exceed $75,000.00. Grant application in the amount of $193,305.00 to Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for Franklin County Adult Probation to provide supervision to adult offenders that are sentenced by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to perio ds of probation or parole upon release from the Franklin County Jail. There is no county match required. Summit Health grant application of $15,000.00 for Senior transportation services through Rabbitransit which is intended to alleviate the financial impact to the General Fund. Summit Health grant application of $15,000.00 for the home delivered meals program for Seniors which serves approximately 5,000 home delivered meals each month. This funding is intended to alleviate the financial impact and cover a shortfall from the Gener al Funds budget for this program. There is no county match required. Agreement renewal between the County of Franklin and AccessIT Group for Checkpoint firewall services. These services give us gateway protection from internet threats both downtown and at the 911 center. It also includes VPN client options as well as web fi ltering at a cost of $98,950.00. This will be paid by an allocation across all County departments. About 65% is estimated to be paid by the General Fund. Assisted Re-Entry (CARE) Program that pays for prescriptions for psychotropic and life sustaining medications for program participants' who do not have Medical Assistance. The c ounty is the payor of last resort. Chambers' Apothecary is the pharmacy that is used. There were minor price changes of the medications, however the contract total remains the same at a cost of $4,000.00. This will be paid from the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Keystone Health for Keystone Health psychiatric and counseling services for Case Assisted Re-Entry (CARE) participants until Medical Assistance is active at a cost of $15,000.00. This will be paid from the General Fund. Project modification request to Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) for the Community Development Block Grant Fiscal Year 2024 to cancel $242,920.00 for the Luminest project to develop senior housing, and add $65,000.00 for Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County to acquire a lot for a low-to-moderate income single- family house. Community Development Block Grant Fiscal Year 2026 application to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) in the amount of $354,509.00 to support projects impacting low-to-moderate Income residents. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Gray provided a high-level overview the action. Ms. Gray introduced Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention Administrator Stacey Brookens to presen t the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities program to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their emerging trends, topics of interest and any concerns they may have. Her presentation Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)was made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Horst commended the work and asked whether the C ounty had enough local providers to serve individuals in need. Ms. Brookens stated that the community had a good number of providers but that expanding services in rural counties remained difficult because providers needed enough participants to sustain new programs. She said the C ounty was exploring regional partnersh ips, expanding day programs, and hoping to open another day program in December or January. Commissioner Flannery and Commissioner Ziobrowski had no questions. The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 a.m. o n 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 *May be assisted by Copilot