HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-01 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 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.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of the February 23, 2016 and February 25, 2016 meetings were
reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, March 3, 2016.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner
Thomas asked for a summary of board action items #7 and 8, Jail Diversion contracts.
John Hart, County Administrator, explained that board action item #7 is with Keystone
Health. This has been an ongoing contract for a number of years to provide services to
get people stabilized in the jail and for getting them ready for the community while still
receiving services when they are released from the jail. Mr. Hart said Peerstar, board
action item #8, has also been an ongoing contract for years where an individual that has
experienced the same situations are matched up with an individual to provide peer
support both while they are in the jail and also when they are released from the jail.
Carrie Gray, Assistant County Administrator, explained further the Jail Diversion
Program works with individuals who are incarcerated or about to be incarcerated. There
are times when Keystone Health and Peerstar will work with individuals before they are
admitted to the Jail. These are programs developed with a PA Commission on Crime
and Delinquency grant in 2009 and the Board has continued the programs because of
their positive outcomes. Nick Riccione, Children &Youth Fiscal Officer, was present to
provide more information on the three Children &Youth reports that are to be approved
today. She explained the reason for the late submission is due to the state budget not
being passed. Mr. Hart explained the emergency resolution that needs approved today
is due to the barn roof collapsing during the heavy snowstorm in January. The County
has been in discussions with the insurance company on what they will cover. During this
weekend, the heavy winds caused more damage so he is asking for an emergency
resolution to demolish the structure due to the walls not being stable since there is
nothing supporting them. He said the estimated cost is $50,000 for demolition and
cleanup. The following items were approved today while the remaining items will be
approved Thursday, March 3, 2016.
The Board reviewed Commissioners' Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved Emergency
Resolution #2016-02 for the emergency repair of the barn roof on Franklin Farm Lane.
The Board reviewed Children &Youth matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the Report to
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services showing expenses and revenues of Act
148 funding for July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 in the amount of$9,270,186.00.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed additional Children and Youth matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the First
Quarter Report to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services showing expenses
and revenues for July 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015 in the amount of
$2,354,487.00.
The Board reviewed additional Children and Youth matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the
Second Quarter Report to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services showing
expenses and revenues for October 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 in the amount
of$2,300,947.00.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin County Industrial Development
Authority. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to appoint John McPaul to fill an unexpired term through April 4,
2017.
The Board reviewed information on Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month.
Steve Nevada, MH/ID/EI Director, and Lori Young, Intellectual Disabilities Program
Specialist, were present to receive the proclamation. Ms. Young explained that the
theme for Intellectual Disabilities (ID) month is "What's Your Story". She said all stories
are worth telling and hearing. She said they are organizing a walk-a-thon and an art
show. Mr. Nevada said if anyone present meets someone with ID, they should get to
know them and ask their story. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by
Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to sign Proclamation #2016-01, proclaiming
the month of March 2016 as Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month.
The Board reviewed information on Resolution #2016-03 for the purpose of
urging the General Assembly and Administration to restore funding for human service
programs to historic levels, and to put mechanisms in place to assure any future budget
impasse or budget delay does not become a burden on Franklin County and its
constituents. Chairman Keller said that the County Commissioners Association of PA
(CCAP) is encouraging all counties to issue a resolution encouraging a timely and
effective budget from the Commonwealth this year. Commissioner Thomas explained
that the calls have increased for mandated services in Children &Youth due to the
passing of new laws in 2015 which has put a burden on counties, with no increase in
funding. Chairman Keller said he agrees with the need for more human services funding
statewide and also the call for more educational funding statewide. He said the
Commonwealth needs to take a look at how the funding is distributed since most
counties in South Central Pennsylvania are not receiving an equitable share. He said
with more equitable distribution based on population we would be more able to address
the critical needs of our residents. Chairman Keller stated we were one of the first
adopters of the Human Services Block Grant. He said the reduction in funding at the
time was not something anyone was excited about but the block grant has given us the
ability to allocate dollars based on needs and the flexibility to move dollars where the
money is most needed. He would like to see the Human Services Block Grant continue
and expanded to other counties since they capped it at thirty counties. Commissioner
Thomas said that Franklin County is near the bottom of the human services category per
capita which forces us to make tough decisions. It's a problem because we are not
getting what we deserve. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L.
Thomas; unanimously approved to sign Resolution #2016-03 for the purpose of urging
the General Assembly and Administration to restore funding for human service programs
to historic levels, and to put mechanisms in place to assure any future budget impasse
or budget delay does not become a burden on Franklin County and its constituents.
Continued on page 3
The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
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tJN CO Franklin County Commissioners' Office COMMISSIONERS
David S. Keller, Chairman
Robert L.Thomas
a 14 North Main Street Robert G.Ziobrowski
r- - Chambersburg, PA 17201-1824 Chief Clerk/County
commissioners f ran klincountypa-gov Administrator
� - Telecommunication Device for Deaf(717)264-8474 John A. Hart
c�rcti (717) 261-3812 Assistant County
Sl't.VAS ti Administrator
Carrie E. Gray
County Solicitor
Mary Beth Shank
Assistant County Solicitor
A RESOLUTION 2016-03 Hannah Herman Snyder
A resolution of the County of Franklin, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, urging the General Assembly
and Administration to restore funding for human services programs to historic levels, and to put
mechanisms in place to assure any future budget impasse or budget delay does not become a burden on
Franklin County and its constituents.
WHEREAS, counties are at the forefront for delivery of crucial human services that protect the most
vulnerable individuals, such as child welfare and protective services, mental health, intellectual
disabilities, substance abuse treatment,homeless assistance,meal programs, lottery funded transportation,
and others; and
WHEREAS,the capacity to meet critical service needs has been compromised by a steady decrease in
state funding over the past decade, especially the drastic ten percent aggregate cut to the seven human
services line items in FY 2012-2013; and
WHEREAS,the Human Services Block Grant has provided much-needed flexibility for the 30 counties
eligible to participate, including Franklin County,but remains closed to the remaining 37 remaining
counties; and
WHEREAS, new mandates and additional program requirements continue to be placed on counties in the
face of decreasing state funds; and
WHEREAS,while the rebalancing initiative for child welfare services is portrayed as only an accounting
change,the initiative shifts a full quarter of funds for mandated child protective services into the
following budget year with no more than a promise of being made whole; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the six-month budget impasse in FY 2015-2016, counties and the providers
with whom they contract were forced to make difficult decisions about remaining open and meeting
clients' needs while state payments were withheld; and
WHEREAS, many counties tapped reserves, borrowed funds,reduced or suspended payments to vendors
or subcontractors, limited staff travel, laid off or reduced hours of employees, among other strategies,to
maintain their focus on service delivery and assure that clients felt no harm; and
WHEREAS, in order to continue providing services during the budget impasse,Franklin County was
forced to limit spending, implement a hiring freeze, and spend significant reserves, as well as delay
implementation of critical services in areas such as Drug and Alcohol.
WHEREAS, Franklin County has estimated lost revenue of approximately$3,000-$5,000 due to loss of
interest during the impasse,now therefore be it...
RESOLVED,that Franklin County remains committed to the important role we play in delivery of
services to our communities; and
RESOLVED,that Franklin County stands ready to work in partnership with the County Commissioners
Association of Pennsylvania in support of counties' top priority for 2016,the commonwealth budget and
human services funding; and
RESOLVED,that Franklin County supports restoration of funding of the ten percent reductions to the
seven key human services line items that occurred in FY 2012-2013, as without restoration to prior
funding levels, all counties find it difficult to serve the state's most needy citizens; and
RESOLVED,that Franklin County opposes"rebalancing" initiatives for child welfare services which
will force counties to reduce funding by a quarter,reduce payments to providers, shorten contract periods,
or use county property tax funds to cover the state's obligation until a future budget makes a true
allocation; and
RESOLVED,that Franklin County asks that state leaders continue to work with them to find ways to
administer human services programs in a way that ensures both quality and efficiency, including
expansion of the Human Services Block Grant to any willing and able county; and
RESOLVED,that Franklin County will work in concert with the County Commissioners Association of
Pennsylvania and state leaders to develop comprehensive solutions for any future budget impasse or delay
to ensure that counties are never again put in a situation where they are forced to cover the state's funding
obligations; and
RESOLVED,that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Franklin County legislative delegation,to
Governor Wolf,and to the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
ADOPTED by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Franklin,the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania,this 0 day of March,2016.
ATTEST: t BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
C in .Hart, County Administrator
D S. eller,Chairman
Robert L. Thomas, Commissioner
Robert G. Z' rowski, Commissioner