HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-28 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, July 28, 2015, 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, 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 Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Kim Wertz provided public comment and asked why board action #1, Change
Order for Bridge Maintenance, can't be changed to 60 or 90 days instead of just 30 days
due to the wet weather.
The minutes of the July 21, 2015 and July 23, 2015 meetings were reviewed.
These will be approved Thursday, July 30, 2015.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner
Thomas asked John Hart, County Administrator, to answer Ms. Wertz question during
public comment concerning board action #1 extending the bridge maintenance project.
Mr. Hart explained that if the contractor gets delayed again, they would request another
extension, however, the contractor believes that they can complete the contract by
August 31, 2015. Chairman Keller said we have some guests present today for the
Emergency Solutions Grant to continue the program for homeless assistance funding.
Shalom Black, Grants Manager, explained that Reverend Bill Burcher from New Hope
and Cherry Arvin from South Central Community Action Program, are present and they
did all the work for the grant. She explained that the county has been receiving this
grant for up to 10 years now and this is the next round of funding. Ms. Black said these
funds are federal dollars that pass through PA DCED to the county. The items will be
approved Thursday, July 30, 2015.
John Hart, County Administrator, provided a brief summary on the state budget
impasse. He said staff has reviewed state budget impasse. The state budget fiscal year
runs July 1 to June 30. It has been 28 days now into the state budget impasse. He said
the County receives substantial support from the state for human service programs. Mr.
Hart explained that without the state budget, it will cost the county $1,550,800 per month
and will require the commissioners to pull general fund dollars down to pay for all the
human service contracts. Due to the Commissioners prudent fiscal management, the
county has resources that if it's the desire of the board to continue payments and paying
contractors, we can serve our consumers. He said these are critical services and he is
recommending to the board to continue making payments from the general fund. He
also recommends reviewing the budget every 30 days with the board and letting the
board make the decision to move forward with those payments. Chairman Keller said
the recommendation is to continue services to residents of the county and to continue to
pay vendors that provide services in a timely fashion and revisit the issue on a monthly
basis until the issue is resolved. He continued that unfortunately the county has been
through this before but the important thing is that we continue to provide the services.
He said we are in a firm position as we were in 2009 to keep things going for a limited
time. Commissioner Thomas said all three of them have experience in this matter, but
the good news is the fiscal position of the county. He said this county has never
required a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) at the beginning of the year. We are prudent,
but these services are to the most frail in our community, so we can't shut down Children
&Youth, Aging, Drug &Alcohol, and Mental Health/intellectual Disabilities. These
services are important to help our community to be safe and secure. He said it's a
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safety net the County provides. When the state won't pay, we have to step up to the
plate. Commissioner Ziobrowski said it was a matter of course for the county 30® 0
years ago to do a TAN. Commissioner Ziobrowski said it was a whole different dynamic
back then but he wouldn't be surprised if this impasse goes into October. He said in
2003, it went into December. Chairman Keller said they will reevaluate in 30 days.
Mary Beth Shank, County Solicitor, requested an executive session to discuss
Montessori Academy v. Franklin County Board of Assessment Docket#2006-185. Ms.
Shank will be making a recommendation for the board after that executive session. On
a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously
approved to enter an executive session at 9:52 a.m. this date for the purpose to review
the Tax Assessment Appeal of Montessori Academy, Docket#2006-185 matters. The
Board reconvened into regular session at 10:00 a.m.
Mary Beth Shank, Solicitor, asked approval to settle the Assessment Appeal with
Montessori Academy, Docket#2006-185. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to authorize Mary Beth Shank to
enter into an agreement with Montessori Academy and Chambersburg Area School
District. The County will refund Montessori Academy in the amount of$8,400.00 for the
years of 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:01 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS