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Home My WebLink About2018-12-11 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2018 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, December 11, 2018, 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 December 4, 2018 and December 6, 2018 meetings were reviewed. These will be decided upon on Thursday, December 13, 2018. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner Thomas asked for an update on the grant agreement with Department of Environmental Protection for the Mosquito Borne Disease Control Grant. Steve Nevada, Assistant County Administrator, explained that Penn State Agriculture Extension informed the County they would not perform the mosquito program so he researched other options. He has discussed with Department of Environmental of Protection the County taking over the program and hiring part time staff, including office space, supplies, and chemical supplies. Commissioner Thomas mentioned there was discussion of including another program into this position to make it full-time. Mr. Nevada responded that they discussed including tick-borne illness outreach and education into the position. He explained further that we are leading the nation in Lyme Disease and there is surveillance and testing that can be done with this program. Chairman Keller asked Loretta McClure, Risk Manager, to explain the new initiative to communicate incidents in an expeditious manner with employees, vendors or anyone the County works with. Ms. McClure explained that the agreement with Everbridge is to implement an internal mass notification program to notify employees in real time when there is an event they need to be made aware of. It can be organized by department, building or even out in the field. This notification system can also allow critical providers, contractors and the press to sign-up and receive notifications. The notifications can be emails, texts or telephone calls. Commissioner Thomas asked for more information on the resolution for a self- funded dental insurance program. Carrie Gray, County Administrator, explained that the dental program is a benefit provided to employees. The County is looking to self-fund the plan and as a result a resolution needs to be in place in order to process claims. The claims will be processed in-house with review by Delta Dental. The following item was approved today while the remaining items will be approved Thursday, December 13, 2018. The Board reviewed Commissioners/Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the motion to approve the Grant Agreement between the County of Franklin and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for the Mosquito-borne Disease Control Grant in the amount of $75,448.25, for the period of January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, explained that the budget has been on the counter for public review and comment for 21 days, which she explained, the requirement by County Code is 20 days. She has received two different phone calls with questions that were easy to answer. She explained further that there were two minor lowed for when adopting the budget, per County Code. The Board presented the 2019 Franklin County budget for adoption this date. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the following resolution adopting the 2019 budget: RESOLUTION #2018-11 WHEREAS, the 2019 Franklin County Budget has been prepared in accordance with the County Code Act of August 9, 1955 (P.L. 323, No. 130) as amended. WHEREAS, the 2019 Franklin County Proposed Budget was approved on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 and was made available for public inspection for at least 20 days. WHEREAS, the Proposed Budget and date set for the final action on the budget has been made a matter of public notice. WHEREAS, the Adopted Budget does not have increased expenditures of more than ten (10) per centum in the aggregate or more than twenty-five (25) per centum in any function over the proposed budget as made available for public inspection. WHEREAS, the Adopted Budget reflects as nearly as possible the estimated revenues and expenditures for the year 2019. BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED, and is hereby resolved and enacted by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Franklin, PA, to adopt the 2019 Budget as presented this date. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved that the following Resolution be adopted fixing the millage rate for real estate taxes for the year 2019 and the specific sums established to be required for the specific purposes of County Government; hereinafter, set forth during the current fiscal year: RESOLUTION #2018 -12 BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED, and is hereby resolved and enacted by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Franklin, PA. SECTION 1 - That a tax be set and the same is hereby levied on all real property within Franklin County subject to taxation for the County purposes for the fiscal year 2019 as follows: Tax rate for general purposes, the sum of twenty-five (25) mills of each dollar assessed valuation with an additional four and one tenth (4.1) mills for the purposes of retirement of County debt services. SECTION 2 - That for the expenses of the County for the fiscal year 2019 the following amounts are hereby appropriated from the revenue available for the fiscal year for the specific purposes, which amount are fully itemized in the County budget. SECTION 3 - That any Resolution, or part of a Resolution, conflicting with this Resolution be and the same is hereby repealed in so far as the same affects this Resolution. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the following Resolution imposing a total of one and five hundreds (1.05) mills of real estate taxes for the purpose of the County Library in voting districts that have approved imposition of such tax by referendum and as authorized under the laws of the Commonwealth of PA in those voting districts. RESOLUTION #2018 -13 BE IT RESOLVED, that a tax at the total rate of one and five hundreds (1.05) mills on each dollar of assessed valuation for the fiscal year 2019 for the County Library purposes, shall be and the same is hereby imposed upon all taxable real estate in Franklin County as heretofore authorized by the voters of the various voting districts and as authorized under the laws of the Commonwealth of PA. Chairman Keller reiterated the focus of the budget. With the court facility project and 1.5 mills of debt service that goes to that project, we are trying to live within our means and keep operations moving forward and providing the best services we can. The general fund is not being increased. He continued that public safety is a priority in the budget and with upgrades in the software in the 911 operation and upgrades in the to start updating and maintaining the equipment as needed. This board has made it a priority to invest in technology to improve information sharing and provide better service in general. This remains a priority in this budget as well. This includes upgrading file and application servers, in a virtual environment for lower costs and greater up-time, and increasing capabilities there. We are focused on the court facility project and keeping it on time and in regards to public safety and improving county services. Chairman Keller mentioned the Human Services programs and other initiatives that are ongoing to address the opioid epidemic, along with partnering with other entities including law enforcement and first responders. We have to keep doing our job as far as mental health, intellectual disabilities, reaching out to veterans, and older Americans living in the county. He continued that our folks have done a great job to fund initiatives going forward in the context of having limited resources. th Commissioner Thomas said this is officially his 25 year dealing with the budget. Things never get easier but one thing that has become easier over the years is that he looks at those in responsible positions in the county who are the top leaders. He right place is monstrous. He continued that they are always trying to get better at serving the people, like with the co-responder program that is working and the need to keep moving in that direction. There are so many projects that we need to keep moving forward. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that he describes the budget as fiscally prudent and Chairman Keller alluded to the services and Commissioner Thomas alluded to the top notch staff and how they support us and support the county. The Board recessed and will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. for the Retirement Board meeting. The Board held a Retirement Board meeting. Michael Shone, Marquette Associates President, met with the Board to provide a report of the Franklin County Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Fund. The meeting was adjourned at 3:38 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ Robert L. Thomas ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski