HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-22 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, November 22, 2011, with the
following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G.
Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, and the
Pledge of Allegiance proceeded with the business of the day.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Linda Allen provided public comment and urged the county to do more to ensure
that youth aging out of Children & Youth's care have a home plan, any medications they
need, and a job or social security assistance before they turn 18.
Allen Piper provided public comment. He urged the county to provide a van at
the nursing home for social and recreational purposes. He also reiterated his
disagreement with the board's policy on public comment, and he asked each board
member to provide their individual justification for not supporting a moment of silent
prayer at every board meeting.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
The minutes of November 15, 2011 and November 17, 2011 meetings were
read. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved these minutes.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports.
The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the Certification
Statement of Children & Youth Programs to PA Department of Public Welfare. This
report in the amount of $2,287,908.00 is submitted to the State for reimbursement for
expenses incurred for the period of July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 as well as revenue
that are reimbursable to the County.
The Board reviewed additional Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the amendment
to Subsidized Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children
and Youth Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive
children with special needs for payment from $29.00/day to $64.00/day for the period of
September 1, 2011 through May 9, 2012, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed
$0.00 to cover non-recurring adoption expenses due to the adopted child giving birth to a
child. The different needs of the child determine the cost per month. The County is
reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation program.
The Board reviewed Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the new contract
between the County of Franklin and Peerstar LLC to provide Peer Specialist Support
services to inmates and participants of the Jail Diversion Program who have serious
mental illnesses in an amount not to exceed $27,040.00 for the period of December 1,
2011 through December 31, 2012.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the amendment to contract between the County of Franklin and Sidwell for the
preparation of the Geographic Information System for the County. During the cadastral
mapping project, the amendment will allow five concurrent user licenses to the County’s
LANDEX land record system, a simplified deed research process at a cost of $6,000.00,
the County’s share being $3,000.00 and the Solid Waste Fund providing $3,000.00 for
project duration of 24 months.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the amendment new contract between the County of Franklin and Martin and
Martin, Inc., to provide consultant services for preparing updates to Franklin County
Municipal Solid Waste Plan, which is required by Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection, for an amount not to exceed $45,000.00 for the period of
November 22, 2011 through November 21, 2013. Planning Office is applying for Act
101, Section 901 Grant, with the amount yet undetermined. If awarded the grant and
matching funds of 20% are required, they will be obtained from the County’s Solid Waste
Account.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the amendment to contract dated May 19, 2011, between the County of Franklin
and Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc., formerly known as PB Americas, Inc. to perform a Traffic
Signal System Improvement Strategy to the County’s Long-term Transportation Plan for
prioritizing traffic-signal based projects at a cost of $298,000.00 covered by Surface
Transportation Program Funds for a period of nine months. This was approved by the
Rural Planning Organization Board at their meeting on November 16, 2011.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the proposal
between the County of Franklin and Becker and Frondorf Construction Cost Consulting
to determine approximate construction costs for Nursing Home Boiler Replacement
Project for a one-time cost of $5,800.00.
The Board reviewed Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the grant between
the County of Franklin and Appalachian Trail Conservancy for South Mountain
Partnership to award $11,000.00 to the Visitors Bureau for developing a mobile
application for the South Mountain Region, which is a tool to make visitors aware of
things to do in Franklin County while traveling and exploring the South Mountain area,
for the period of date of signature through December 31, 2012.
John Hart, Chief Clerk/County Administrator, Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director,
and Erin Witmer, Assistant Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2012
proposed budget. John Hart said this presentation is staff’s effort to bring budget in as
directed by the board. This is a balanced budget utilizing savings from 2011 budget.
He is proposing as presented last week to establish two funds to assist with planning for
anticipated large investments and purchases for equipment and building repairs. The
titles will be capital facility fund and reserve for replacement fund. Staff has attempted to
develop a budget as directed and requested if this budget is acceptable to the board.
Continued on page 3
Ms. Beckner informed the Board that budget is presented as discussed
previously; however, it will appear different in popular report and counter copy. Ms.
Beckner explained each line item in the General Fund Budget. She informed the Board
this budget does include a 3% increase for employees. Transfers to support other
operations have increased by 1.42 million. The largest increases are the Nursing Home
and Emergency Services. .Mr. Hart said a portion of contingency was not spent in 2011
due to giving a second and third look at items before they were bought. Ms. Beckner
said the Government Finance Office guideline suggests 60 days of general fund
reserves for operating costs. With this budget general fund reserves are at 9.9 million
which is 85 days operating costs and leaves county in better shape than recommended
plus our credit rating will remain at AA.
Mr. Hart explained this budget will have a capital facility fund in the amount of
$1millon dollars. This fund is for major capital purchases and facility remodeling and
construction. During the budget cycle the board can review the funds and adjust funding
as needed. The repair/replacement fund will be used for replacement and repairs of
equipment and buildings. This fund will be established in the amount of 1.3 million
dollars. Staff will monitor these funds and recommend to the board funding adjustments..
Ms. Beckner stated these funds will be maintained as current year expenses.
Chairman Keller asked the Board for any further questions or comments.
Commissioner Ziobrowski said he is pleased because staff cut 4 million out of what the
Board originally saw in a previous presentation. He also wanted to comment about the
ARC (retirement fund) that this is an estimate and we do adjust in December but want to
make sure not underfunding the ARC so will adjust as appropriately. Commissioner
Thomas commended John Hart for managing the contingency fund. Commissioner
Thomas agreed with the proposal to establish the capital facilities fund and the reserve
for replacement fund. He said it is appropriate to set aside funds for maintenance and
repair of buildings, because these types of expenses are sometimes unanticipated. In
general, Commissioner Thomas sees the need to look at a leaner future because of
uncertainty regarding what the Federal Government is going to do. He said there is no
reason to believe that the budget numbers are not good, but federal and state funding
may decrease down the road and the county needs to be prepared for that. The county
needs to evaluate all of its operations. Everything should be on the table and be
justified.
Chairman Keller said there are signs that the local economy has improved but
there also are storm clouds on the horizon. He said the County needs to live within its
means and this budget is based on that principle. He is pleased with the work that has
been done in preparing the budget and agrees with the other commissioners'
comments.
In conclusion, Ms. Beckner said the total budget is $122 million, which includes
fiduciary funds, and there is no tax increase.
After a question and answer period from the audience the Board took a motion to
accept the preliminary budget.
Continued on page 4
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved the 2012 Preliminary Budget and to place the counter copy on
the counter for public view. This will also be available on the County’s website. This
motion is to certify that the foregoing schedules of the 2012 Franklin County proposed
budget were prepared according to law and presented to the County Commissioners on
November 22, 2011; that said schedules were published or otherwise made available on
November 22, 2011; and that all financial debt and other information set forth herein
reflect as nearly as possible the estimated revenues and expenditures for the year 2012.
The Board will adopt the final budget on December 15, 2011.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:28 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS