HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 Budget in Brief - FINAL
COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY OFOFOF FRANKLIN FRANKLIN FRANKLIN
~ ~ ~ PPPENNSYLVANIA ENNSYLVANIA ENNSYLVANIA ~~~
Budget in BriefBudget in BriefBudget in Brief
www.franklincountypa.gov
201820182018
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3 …… County Commissioners
4 …... Mission Statement
5 …… About our County
7 …… Executive Summary
11 …… How Your County Tax Dollar Is Spent
12 …… Description of Tax Dollar
13 …… Budget Summary: All Services
14 …… Budget Summary: General Fund
15 …… Elected Official Budget Comparison
16 …… Franklin County History of Population
17 …… Franklin County Tax Base History
18 ….... Your County Government
19 ……. Franklin County Elected Officials
21 …..... Franklin County Judges
22 ……. Franklin County Buildings
25 ……. Franklin County Municipalities
28 ……. Franklin County Operations by the Numbers
31 ……. Terminology
Table of Contents
Page
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The three County Commissioners constitute the
chief governing body of the County. The Commis-
sioners are vested with policy-making authority
to provide certain local services and facilities on a county-wide basis.
Administrative powers and duties of the County commissioners encom-
pass registration and elections, assessment of property, human services,
veterans' affairs, 911 call center and emergency services, operation of a
county jail, personnel management, operation and maintenance of 93
county bridges, appointment of county personnel, and budget and
finance management.
The commissioners are the sole contractors for the county; as such, they
make contracts and purchases for all purposes expressly or implicitly
authorized by law.
The position of commissioner is a county-wide elected office with a term
of four years; their current term is 2016-2019.
The County Commissioners sit jointly as members of the Retirement
Board, Salary Board, Election Board, Prison Board and Franklin County
Area Development Corporation.
Franklin County Commissioners
Robert G. Ziobrowski
Robert L. Thomas
David S. Keller, Chairman
Serving as a Franklin County
Commissioner since 1996.
Serving as a Franklin County
Commissioner since 2008.
Serving as a Franklin County
Commissioner since 2008.
4
To enrich social, economic, and environmental vitality, Franklin
County will provide services which are responsive to the health,
safety, and general welfare needs of County residents.
The County government is dedicated to providing these services
through the efficient and effective use of the County's available
resources in an honest, open, and caring manner.
MISSION STATEMENT
5
About our CountyAbout our CountyAbout our County
Franklin County, Pennsylvania is located in the Cumberland Valley, midway between Philadelphia and
Pittsburgh, on the Mason Dixon line. Franklin County is a fourth class county, with a population estimate
of 149,618 based on the 2010 U.S. Census. The county encompasses 754 square miles.
The oldest government entity is Antrim Township, which was formed in Lancaster County in 1741. It
encompassed most of present day Franklin County. The first petitions calling for a new county to form
out of Cumberland County began arriving in the Pennsylvania Assembly in the waning years of the
Revolutionary War. The petitioners sought a new county be created due to the inconveniences and
hardships of the great distances residents needed to travel to Carlisle in order to either appear in court
or do business with other county offices. The Assembly appointed Jacob Rush, Robert Coleman, and
Col. Edward McPherson to draft a bill for the creation of a new county. These men were primarily
responsible for the naming of Franklin County, just the second county in the United States to be named
in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Lurgan Township and Shippensburg were against inclusion in the county,
and Greencastle lobbied to be made county seat. In the end, an Act of Assembly was passed on
September 9, 1784 creating the new County of Franklin with Chamber’s Town, the present day
Chambersburg, as the seat of justice.
Since its establishment in 1784, Franklin County has enjoyed steady, healthy growth. Franklin County
continues to support a healthy farm industry. Agriculture remains the main industry in Franklin County,
ranking second in Pennsylvania for production of milk, cattle, vegetables, and melons. There are 1,596
farms (242,634 acres) and 207,500 acres of
state forest land, of which an estimated 15,178
acres are state game land. Franklin County
continues its Farmland Preservation efforts.
Currently 129 farms, 16,789 acres of farmland
have been preserved.
Franklin County is governed by a board of three
county commissioners elected every four years
by the citizens who live here. The Board of
Commissioners oversees the entire operation of
the county and represents the best interest of
the citizens. County Commissioners also
oversee the core functions of the county
government such as fiscal operations, human
resources, taxes, voting, emergency services,
planning and information technology. The
Franklin County Commissioners sit on a variety
of committees and boards. The County Com-
missioners sit jointly as members of the Retire-
ment Board, Salary Board, Election Board, Prison Board and Franklin County Area Development Corpo-
ration. The commissioners are the sole contractors for the county; as such, they make contracts and
purchases for all purposes expressly or implicitly authorized by law.
Source: FCADC 2016 Franklin County Profile
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Estimated Population: 153,638
Median Age: 41.7
Median household income: $ 53,916
Unemployment rate: 4.8%
Total Veterans: 12,446
MAJOR EMPLOYERS
Summit Health (3,360)
Letterkenny Army Depot (3,150)
Chambersburg Area School District (1,120)
Manitowoc Crane Group/Grove Crane (950)
Volvo Construction Equipment (850)
Proctor & Gamble Northeast Mixing Center (750)
Franklin County Government (670)
Target Distribution Center #589 (590)
Food Lion, Inc (520)
World Kitchen, LLC (510)
Source: The Center for Workforce Information & Analysis
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
- PENNSYLVANIA-
Source: FCADC 2017 Franklin County Profile
Prepared by the FCADC, January 2017
“Without continual growth and progress,
such words as improvement, achievement,
and success have no meaning.”
~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
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Executive Summary
The County’s proposed 2018 budget totals $106.9 million
for all operations and services and reflects a decrease of
$1.7 million (1.6%) from the revised 2017 budget of $108.6
million.
The property tax millage rate for 2018 remains unchanged
at 25 mills for general operations and 2.6 mills for debt
service, a total of 27.6 mills.
For 2018, the Board of Commissioners continues to priori-
tize its primary objectives of improving services, planning for
the future and streamlining government. Efforts or
initiatives focused on enhancing the effectiveness and
efficiency of county government, while living within our
means are prioritized. The 2018 budget provides funding to
pursue those objectives.
Resources are assigned for: implementation of additional evidence-based practices;
maintaining the infrastructure and virtual environment of our information technology
systems and security; expanding our use of electronic document management; and
exploring new avenues for delivering human services and administering justice. The
Commissioners are dedicated to balancing their commitment to quality of life for all
county residents and the role of county government with the resources available.
The budget for ALL SERVICES is a comprehensive picture of all county operations.
Fiduciary funds are differentiated from operating funds in order to present the reader
with a clear picture of the difference in general operations and those where the assets
are subject to market fluctuations. The County Operations heading includes every
program and department in the county except retirement, post-employment health
benefits, and workers’ compensation trust funds. Departments and offices such as the
911 center and emergency services, court administration and all court-related
operations, the jail, the day reporting center, veterans’ affairs, elected officials,
human service programs, property management, internal support departments of
information technology, human resources, risk management, purchasing, and fiscal,
tax services, planning, voters’ registration, capital projects and debt service are
combined under the heading “County Operations.” Fiduciary and trust funds
mentioned above are presented separately from other county operations.
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Executive Summary
The 2018 budget for ALL SERVICES reflects total revenue of $106.4 million and total
expenses of $106.9 million. The revised 2017 budget for ALL SERVICES shows total
revenue of $106.8 million and total expenditures of $108.6 million. While revenues are
relatively flat (a decrease of 0.4%), total expenses decreased $1.7 million (1.6%) from
2017. The primary reason for the reduction in 2017 budgeted expenses is in funds
committed to capital projects ($1.2 million for 2018, compared with $2.5 million for
2017).
The GENERAL FUND expense budget of $49.4 million supports elected official offices,
veterans’ affairs, voters’ registration, tax services, property management, administra-
tion and planning offices, the county jail, court and magisterial district judge
operations, adult and juvenile probation, and the day reporting center. It reflects a
decrease of $0.5 million, (0.9%) over the revised budget for 2017. The net use of
reserves budgeted for 2018 ($3.0 million) is slightly higher than 2017 ($2.7 million).
Total GENERAL FUND revenue of $46.4 million indicates a decrease of $.8 million
(1.7%) from the 2017 revised budget. While the property tax millage rate remains
consistent with 2017, the value of a mill increased by 0.4% from 2017, contributing
$5,500 for general operations for each mill of tax assessed. This is the net effect of
normal growth, the results of appeals and reverse appeals, and the use of the
Pictometry application to find changes and bring new properties onto the tax rolls.
Property taxes account for 77.8% of all GENERAL FUND revenue for 2018 compared to
76.0% for 2017 and 77.0% for 2016.
The $0.2 million increase in tax revenue partially offsets reductions in federal and state
revenue (48.4% and 16.5% respectively of 2017 revised budget) related to several
criminal justice grants and funding streams. The net reduction in intergovernmental
revenue is $0.7 million (26.5%). Additional grant awards are pending, but not known at
the time of preparing the 2018 budget. Intergovernmental revenues make up 4.4% of
the 2018 budget, compared with 5.8% for 2017 and 3.8% for 2016.
With regard to fees and charges for services, increases in collections in the Recorder of
Deeds and Prothonotary’s offices, hotel tax administration fees, sale of GIS data, and
9
Executive Summary
adult probation DUI school and SCRAM monitoring are offset by the loss of revenue
from leasing of jail beds ($340,000). The net loss in fees and charges is $265,000 (3.5%).
Charges for services contribute 15.6% to total GENERAL FUND revenues for 2018, com-
pared to 15.9% for 2017 and 16.1% for 2016.
Salaries and wages for 2018 show an increase of 3.4% over 2017 revised budget, while
benefit costs reflect a decrease of 5.1%, for a net increase of 1.0%. Savings in benefit
costs are the result of successful negotiation of health insurance costs, as well as re-
duced required contributions for employee pension and retiree health insurance. Total
personnel costs increased $0.3 million over 2017 the revised budget.
For 2018, GENERAL FUND operations are budgeting to spend approximately $15.7 mil-
lion on operating costs, a decrease of 4.8%. Increased operating costs for the jail are
partially offset by reduced spending for services to operate the day reporting center
($200,000), reductions in contracted services for pass-through grants ($320,100) and
overall flat or reduced general expenses.
The growth in the jail population resulted in a proposed 2018 budget of $13.8 million
for jail operations (excluding capital), an increase of $0.4 million (2.8%) from the 2017
revised budget and $1.2 million (9.9%) from the 2017 original budget. The most signifi-
cant areas of increase are in personnel costs, outside county housing, inmate medical
costs, and costs related to transporting inmates.
10
Executive Summary
For 2018, transfers from the GENERAL FUND to support or maintain other
county operations total $4.3 million, compared with $4.4 million for 2017.
County share accounts for 8.7% of the GENERAL FUND budget for 2018, com-
pared with 9.0% for 2017. Contributions include human service programs ($2.9
million, 5.8%), domestic relations ($0.6 million, 1.2%), and 911 center and haz-
mat operations ($0.8 million, 1.6%). In addition, $150,000 is budgeted for
the purchase of agriculture preservation easements, as well as $25,800 for ad-
ministration of the Community Development Block Grant program.
Consistent with the County’s practice in prior years, proposed expansions for
personnel, capital and new projects are budgeted in a contingency account so
that additional review can be completed prior to taking action and incurring
expense. GENERAL FUND contingency for 2018 amounts to 5.8% of the
expenditure budget and totals $1.7 million. Contingency funding is set aside for
equipment replacements, projects, computers, furniture, and other capital
purchases and potential personnel expansion where needed.
Additionally, for 2018, $1.2 million is budgeted from the County’s capital
projects fund and $419,500 from equipment repair and replacement funds, which
were established in 2012.
A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave
them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not
take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.
~THOMAS JEFFERSON
11 Administration .02 (.04)
How Your 2018 County Tax Dollar is Spent
(RED) indicates 2017 Community & Econ Development .02 (.02) OTHER .02 (.02) Human Services .02 (.03) Financial Services .04 (.04) Customer Service .03 (.03) Crime, Courts, and Corrections .82 (.78) Public Safety .03 (.04)
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Description of the Tax Dollar
Community and Economic Development: includes support of Ag Extension office,
community-related grants, and support to county affiliated community
development organizations.
Administrative Services: include general government costs, Commissioners’ Office,
and administrative costs charged back to the General Fund.
Customer Services: include Voter Registration, Elections, Planning, and related
projects.
Financial Services: include the County Controller, Treasurer, general insurance
costs, and Tax Service operations.
Human Services: include Human Service programs that provide support services
within the community and include Aging, Children and Youth Services, Drug and
Alcohol Treatment and Prevention, Mental Health, Early Intervention, Intellectual
Disabilities, and various smaller programs.
Public Safety: includes Emergency Management, General Fund support for 911
Operations and Hazardous Materials, and certain public safety grants through the
Department of Justice.
Other: represents primarily Property Management services to General Fund
county buildings.
Courts, Crimes and Corrections (“the 3-Cs”): include Court Administration, District
Attorney, Public Defender, Magisterial District Judge offices, court-related elected
officials, Day Reporting Center, Drug Task Force, Adult and Juvenile Probations,
Jail operations, and General Fund support to court-related operations outside the
General Fund.
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Budget Summary: All Services
County
Operations
Fiduciary
Funds
Total- All
Services and
Operations
FUNDING SOURCES
Taxes 40,910,800$ -$ 40,910,800$
Interest 94,600 2,426,300 2,520,900
Intergovernmental - Federal 7,999,900 - 7,999,900
Intergovernmental - State 22,186,600 5,000 22,191,600
Charges for Services 14,281,700 5,788,600 20,070,300
Contributions/Others 1,367,100 6,626,000 7,993,100
Transfers from Other County Operations 4,672,100 - 4,672,100
TOTAL FUNDING SOURCES 91,512,800 14,845,900 106,358,700
EXPENDITURES
General Governmental - Services 15,757,900 - 15,757,900
General Governmental - Judicial Services 13,816,600 - 13,816,600
Public Safety 24,331,100 - 24,331,100
Public Works 2,966,300 - 2,966,300
Human Services 26,448,900 - 26,448,900
Culture & Recreation 902,300 - 902,300
Community & Economic Development 1,435,700 - 1,435,700
Debt Service 4,378,800 - 4,378,800
Miscellaneous 2,391,500 8,821,200 11,212,700
Capital Projects 1,200,000 - 1,200,000
Support to Other County Operations 4,470,600 - 4,470,600 -
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 98,099,700 8,821,200 106,920,900
CONTRIBUTION/(USE) OF RESERVES (6,586,900)$ 6,024,700$ (562,200)$
2018
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Budget Summary: General Fund
2018 2017
BUDGET BUDGET
FUNDING SOURCES
Taxes 36,135,600$ 35,890,100$
Interest 77,100 50,100
Intergovernmental - Federal 583,800 876,800
Intergovernmental - State 1,440,000 1,876,100
Charges for Services 7,229,100 7,494,100
Contributions/Others 951,700 983,400
Transfers from Other County Operations - 38,000
TOTAL FUNDING SOURCES 46,417,300 47,208,600
EXPENDITURES
General Governmental - Services 10,918,000 10,965,000
General Governmental - Judicial Services 12,110,000 12,814,800
Public Safety 21,383,800 20,922,200
Public Works 5,800 10,800
Culture & Recreation 257,200 265,600
Community & Economic Development 454,000 494,600
Support to Other County Operations 4,305,600 4,430,700
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 49,434,400 49,903,700
CONTRIBUTION/(USE) OF RESERVES (3,017,100)$ (2,695,100)$
15
2018 2017 2018 2017
BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET
proposed revised proposed revised
Clerk of Courts District Attorney
Personnel 429,500$ 445,100$ Personnel 1,490,800$ 1,370,000$
Operations 53,850 55,000 Operations 163,400 160,100
Capital Expenditures - - Capital Expenditures - 3,900
Total Costs 483,350$ 500,100$ Total Costs 1,654,200$ 1,534,000$
Revenue 437,600$ 432,600$ Revenue -$ -$
Commissioners Prothonotary
Personnel 857,600$ 776,600$ Personnel 420,000$ 434,100$
Operations 57,300 57,100 Operations 55,800 62,600
Capital Expenditures - 6,300 Capital Expenditures - -
Total Costs 914,900$ 840,000$ Total Costs 475,800$ 496,700$
Revenue -$ -$ Revenue 240,000$ 229,000$
Controller Register & Recorder
Personnel 611,600$ 623,200$ Personnel 353,000$ 361,300$
Operations 83,500 86,200 Operations 92,600 108,800
Capital Expenditures - 9,300 Capital Expenditures - -
Total Costs 695,100$ 718,700$ Total Costs 445,600$ 470,100$
Revenue -$ -$ Revenue 929,000$ 886,000$
Coroner Sheriff
Personnel 208,800$ 217,000$ Personnel 1,521,200$ 1,508,000$
Operations 193,700 195,600 Operations 149,200 155,600
Capital Expenditures - 69,000 Capital Expenditures - 51,900
Total Costs 402,500$ 481,600$ Total Costs 1,670,400$ 1,715,500$
Revenue 53,000$ 48,000$ Revenue 392,300$ 390,600$
Treasurer
Personnel 201,100$ 211,800$
Operations 6,800 6,500
Capital Expenditures -$ 5,500$
Total Costs 207,900$ 223,800$
Revenue 108,700$ 95,200$
Elected Officials Budget Comparison
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Franklin County History of Population
2000 2005 2010 2015
% of
Growth
2000-2015
Chambersburg 17,861 17,913 20,268 20,691 15.84%
Greencastle 3,722 3,835 3,996 4,043 8.62%
Mercersburg 1,540 1,548 1,561 1,558 1.17%
Mont Alto 1,738 1,759 1,705 1,733 -0.29%
Orrstown 231 231 262 265 14.72%
Shippensburg 1,121 1,139 1,076 1,085 -3.21%
Waynesboro 9,619 9,698 10,568 10,848 12.78%
Antrim 12,529 13,450 14,893 15,470 23.47%
Fannett 2,381 2,774 2,548 2,597 9.07%
Greene 12,312 13,146 16,700 17,484 42.01%
Guilford 13,116 13,878 14,531 14,761 12.54%
Hamilton 8,963 9,639 10,788 11,111 23.97%
Letterkenny 2,095 2,536 2,318 2,355 12.41%
Lurgan 2,025 2,259 2,151 2,176 7.46%
Metal 1,733 1,980 1,866 1,875 8.19%
Montgomery 4,971 5,548 6,116 6,193 24.58%
Peters 4,267 4,644 4,430 4,456 4.43%
Quincy 5,479 5,833 5,541 5,523 0.80%
St. Thomas 5,793 6,266 5,935 5,980 3.23%
Southampton 6,152 6,836 7,987 8,526 38.59%
Warren 342 492 369 376 9.94%
Washington 11,566 11,869 14,009 14,532 25.64%
Franklin Co Total 129,556 137,273 149,618 153,638 18.59%
Courtesy of the Franklin County Planning Department
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Franklin County Tax Base History
Year Tax Base
Tax Base
Increase % increase
***2018 1,457,607,420$ 5,480,570$ 0.38%
2017 1,452,126,850$ 21,590,440$ 1.51%
2016 1,430,536,410$ 19,578,120$ 1.39%
2015 1,410,958,290$ 15,656,920$ 1.12%
2014 1,395,301,370$ 13,092,620$ 0.95%
2013 1,382,208,750$ 12,435,600$ 0.91%
2012 1,369,773,150$ 8,428,300$ 0.62%
2011 1,361,344,850$ 17,077,880$ 1.27%
*** as of 11/16/2017
2010 1,344,266,970$ 181,072,940$ 15.57%
2005 1,163,194,030$ 154,338,380$ 15.30%
2000 1,008,855,650$ 101,864,700$ 11.23%
1995 906,990,950$ 116,596,970$ 14.75%
1990 790,393,980$
In 2001 Franklin County changed pre-determined ratio from 40% to 100%
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Your County Government
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The mission of the Franklin County Office of the District Attorney is justice.
As the chief law enforcement officer of the County, the District Attorney
will “protect and serve” the citizens of Franklin County, preserving their
quality of life by fostering an environment of safety and security. To that
end the office is dedicated to obtaining justice.
A coroner’s standard role is to confirm and certify the death of an individual
within a jurisdiction. The Coroner is responsible for the investigation to
determine cause and mode of death. A coroner may conduct or order an
inquest into the manner or cause of death and investigate or confirm the
identity of an unknown person who has been found dead within a coroner’s
jurisdiction.
The Prothonotary is the Chief Clerk of the Civil Division of the
Court of Common Pleas. The office has administrative control and
responsibility for all official documents and records of civil court
matters.
The Controller, in conjunction with the Commissioners, accounts for
the fiscal affairs of the County which includes accounts payable,
accounting, payroll, retirement, and internal audit.
The Clerk of Courts is the custodian of criminal court records;
responsible for maintaining the records of a court. They administer
oaths to witnesses, jurors, and grand jurors. They also issue
marriage licenses.
Todd Rock
1st term
2016—2019
Clerk of Courts
Harold Wissinger
1st term
2016—2019
Controller
Coroner
Jeffrey Conner
5th term
2016—2019
Matthew Fogal
3rd term
2016—2019
District Attorney
Timothy Sponseller
1st term
2016—2019
Prothonotary
Elected Officials
20
The County Treasurer provides licensing services to more than 35,000
Franklin County residents, serving as the primary agent on behalf of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the sales of licenses and permits.
The licenses and permits include dog license, fishing license, hunting
license, gun permits, bingo license, small games of chance license and
special raffle permits.
The office of the Register and Recorder records all documents pertaining
to land records, deeds, and mortgages. The office handles the probate
of estates upon death for executors or administrators. It serves as
collection agency for the Department of Revenue for State Realty
Transfer Tax and Inheritance Tax. They also record military discharge
records.
The Sheriff is responsible for enforcement of laws throughout the
County. The Sheriff and deputies are fully trained law enforcement
personnel. They assist local or state police officers and provide per-
sonnel to Drug Task Force when requested.
Linda Miller
6th term
2016—2019
Register & Recorder
James Brown
1st term
2016—2019
David Secor
3rd term
2014—2017
Treasurer
Sheriff
Elected Officials
“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue
happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”
~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
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President Judge Carol L. Van Horn
Judge Shawn D. Meyers
Judge Angela R. Krom
Judge Jeremiah D. Zook
Judge Todd M. Sponseller
The Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of
Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in
these courts. Judges also decide cases involving adoption,
divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates,
guardianships, charitable organizations and many other
matters. The Common Pleas courts are organized into 60
judicial districts, most of which encompass a single county.
Seven judicial districts, in lightly populated areas of the
Commonwealth, include two counties. Judges of the
Common Pleas courts are elected to 10 year terms.
A president judge and a court administrator serve in each
judicial district. The 39th district serves Franklin and Fulton
Counties.
39th Judicial District
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Franklin County Courts
Located on the square of
Chambersburg, the county seat, the
current “old courthouse’” building is
the third courthouse building on the
site. Built in 1865, the structure fea-
tures a domed clock cupola with a
statue of Benjamin Franklin on top.
In 1979, the County built the
Courthouse Annex to support growing judicial needs and operations.
In 2010, the County purchased the former Junior Firehouse on Second Street.
The building was renovated to further support the judicial needs of the County, serving as
the “Hearing Annex”.
Franklin County Commissioners Complex
The Commissioners complex is located at 14 North Main
Street, Chambersburg. The Commissioners complex houses
the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. The Board of
Commissioners oversee the entire operation of the County
and represent the best interest of the citizens.
Franklin County Jail
The Franklin County Jail, located in the 1800 block of Opportunity
Avenue, Chambersburg, opened in 2007. The original County Jail,
located on King Street, was built in 1818 and was used until 1970.
County Buildings
23
Franklin Farm Lane
Building 3
Building 3 on Franklin Farm Lane is
currently the home of rabbittransit.
Gray Stone Building
Penn State Cooperative Ag Extension
is located on Franklin Farm Lane in
the “Old Stone Building”.
Agricultural Heritage Center
The Heritage Center, built in 2008, is
at 185 Franklin Farm Lane. It houses
the Franklin County Conservation
District and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
Franklin County Administration Annex
The Administration Annex is located at 218 N. Second Street. The Admin Annex
currently houses the County Fiscal department, Human Resources, the Domestic
Relations office, County Planning, the Controllers office, and Magisterial District
Judge Manns.
County Buildings
24
Franklin County Area Agency on Aging
The Franklin County Area Agency on Aging is located at 600 Norland Avenue,
Chambersburg. The Agency provides a planned program of supported services to
those sixty years of age and older, intended to optimize independence, promote
consumer choice and enhance quality of life.
There are also eight senior centers operated to serve the needs of the County’s
senior citizens.
Franklin County Human Services Building
The Human Services Building houses agencies which pro-
vide essential social services. These agencies include
Children & Youth, Drug & Alcohol, Mental Health, Intellec-
tual Disabilities, Early Intervention, Juvenile Probation,
Veterans Affairs, Community Services and others.
Franklin County Adult Probation Office
Franklin County Adult Probation is located at 440 Walker Road. The
main objective of the Franklin County Adult Probation Department
is to effectively monitor criminal offenders living and working in the
community. The goal of each probation officer has two important
elements: to aid the offender in his or her rehabilitation and
reintegration into the community and to ensure the safety and
protection of both the victim and the community.
County Buildings
25
Franklin County Municipalities
Antrim Township - Antrim Township lies along the southern edge of Franklin County, bordered to the south by
Washington County in Maryland. The township surrounds the borough of Greencastle, a separate municipality. The
unincorporated community of State Line sits along the southern edge of the township. https://www.twp.antrim.pa.us/
Chambersburg Borough - Chambersburg is the county seat of Franklin County. Chambersburg
borough is 13 miles north of Maryland and the Mason-Dixon line and 52 miles southwest of Harrisburg.
Chambersburg settlement began in 1730 when water mills were built at the confluence of Conococheague
Creek and Falling Spring Creek that now run through the center of the town.
http://www.borough.chambersburg.pa.us/
Fannett Township is the northernmost township in Franklin County. It is bordered to the west by Huntingdon
County, to the north by Juniata County, to the northeast by Perry County, and to the east by Cumberland County.
The township is in the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachian Mountains: Tuscarora Mountain forms the
western boundary of the township, and the eastern boundary follows the crest of Kittatinny Mountain (known as
Sherman Mountain to the northeast). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fannett_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
Greencastle Borough - Greencastle is a borough in Franklin County in south-central Pennsylvania. The town
was named after Greencastle, County Donegal, Ireland. It was originally composed of 245 lots. Greencastle was
founded in 1782 by John Allison and Abigail Siner from the Barkdoll house . http://www.greencastlepa.gov/
Greene Township is in eastern Franklin County, bordered to the east by Adams County,
bordered to the southwest by borough of Chambersburg. The township is primarily in the Great
Appalachian Valley. Caledonia State Park is on the eastern edge of the township and Michaux
State Forest occupies much of the township. http://www.twp.greene.franklin.pa.us/
Guilford Township is in eastern Franklin County, bordered to the east by Adams County and
to the northwest by the borough of Chambersburg. Most of the township is in the Great Appalachian Valley, with the eastern por-
tion occupied by several ridges that are part of South Mountain. The unincorporated community of Guilford is in the north, and
Fayetteville is to its east, along the border with Greene Township. Marion is in the southwest corner of
the township. http://www.guilfordtwp.us/
Hamilton Township is in central Franklin County and is bordered to the northeast by the borough of
Chambersburg. South of Chambersburg, Conococheague Creek forms the eastern boundary of the township. Back Creek, a
tributary of Conococheague, forms the southwestern boundary. The township extends northwest as far as the crest of Broad
Mountain, the easternmost ridge in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians in this part of the state.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
Letterkenny Township is in north-central Franklin County. The eastern half of the township is in the Great Appalachian Val-
ley, while the western half occupied by the eastern two ridges of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. Broad Mountain and Blue
Mountain form the easternmost ridge, while Kittatinny Mountain forms the western town border.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterkenny_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
26
Franklin County Municipalities
Lurgan Township is in northeastern Franklin county, bordered to the northeast by Cumberland County. The southeastern two
thirds of the township are in the Cumberland Valley, and the northwestern third is in the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appala-
chian Mountains. The Conodoguinet creek forms the southern boundary of the township. Roxbury located in the southwest of the
township is the largest community. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lurgan_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
Mercersburg Borough - Mercersburg is a borough in Franklin County, 72 miles southwest of Harrisburg. Mercersburg was
originally called “Black Town”. James Buchanan, the only Pennsylvanian to be elected President of the United States, was born
in a log cabin in the village of Cove Gap northwest of Mercersburg and grew up in the town. His log cabin today stands on the
Mercersburg Academy campus. http://www.mercersburg.org/
Metal Township is located along the western edge of Franklin County. It is bordered to the west by Huntingdon and Fulton
counties. The western border follows the crest of Tuscarora Mountain and the eastern border follows the
crest of Kittatinny Mountain. The space between the mountains is known as Path Valley and comprises the
settled portion of the township. Fannettsburg is the largest community in the township.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
Mont Alto Borough - Mont Alto sits at the western base of South Mountain along the headwaters of
the West Branch of Antietam Creek. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of
0.57 square miles, all of it land. The town was incorporated in 1915 with a population of 800.
http://montaltoborough.com/
Montgomery Township is in southwestern Franklin County, bordered to the south by Washington County, Mary-
land. The western border of the township follows the ridge crest of Cove Mountain, the eastern border follows
Conococheague Creek in part, and the southern border is part of the Mason–Dixon line. The borough of Mercers-
burg lies along part of the northern edge of the township. Two Top Mountain, Claylick Mountain, Kasies Knob, and
Rickard Mountain, all part of the Bear Pond Mountains, are in the southern part of the township.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montgomery_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
Orrstown Borough - Orrstown was founded in 1833 by the Orr brothers. It is surrounded by Southampton
Township Franklin County. The county seat of Chambersburg is 11 miles south of Orrstown Borough. According to
the U.S. Census Bureau, the Borough has a total area of 0.06 square miles, all of it land.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orrstown,_Pennsylvania
Peters Township s in western Franklin County, bordered to the west by Fulton County. The borough of Mercers-
burg is along part of the southern border. The western border follows the crest of Tuscarora Mountain, while a por-
tion of the eastern border follows Conococheague Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River. The West Branch of
Conococheague Creek flows from north to south through the center of the township. Cove Mountain is a ridge that
runs parallel to Tuscarora Mountain to the east.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peters_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
Quincy Township is in southeastern Franklin County, bordered to the east by Adams County. The western half
of the township is part of the Great Appalachian Valley, an agricultural area with elevations in the township ranging
from 650 to 1,100 feet (200 to 340 m), while the eastern half is on the slopes and crests of
South Mountain, the highest point of which is the summit of Snowy Mountain, with an ele-
vation exceeding 2,080 feet (630 m). The Appalachian Trail traverses the eastern side of
the township. http://www.quincytwp.org/Home
27
Franklin County Municipalities
Shippensburg Borough is in both Franklin and Cumberland counties. It is primarily in Cumberland County but
extends west into Franklin County. Shippensburg has a total area of 2 square miles. The borough is 41 miles south-
west of Harrisburg. Shippensburg is the oldest community of the Cumberland Valley and
the second oldest west of the Susquehanna River.
http://www.borough.shippensburg.pa.us/
Southampton Township is in northeastern Franklin County. A separate Southampton
Township lies directly adjacent in Cumberland County. Most of Southampton township is in
the Cumberland Valley, but the southeast end of the township extends up onto South moun-
tain, where the highest elevation in the township reaches 2,100 feet on Big Pine Flat Ridge.
http://www.southamptontownship.org/
St Thomas Township is in west-central Franklin County, in the Great Appalachian Valley, but extending north-
west to include the first four ridges of the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachian Mountains: from east to
west, Front Mountain, Broad Mountain, Little Mountain, and Kittatinny Mountain.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
Warren Township occupies the southwest corner of Franklin County, bordered to the west by Fulton County and
to the south by Washington County in the state of Maryland. The western boundary of the township follows the crest
of Tuscarora Mountain as far as its southern end, and the eastern boundary follows the crest of Cove Mountain. The
southern boundary is the Mason–Dixon line.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Township,_Franklin_County,_Pennsylvania
Washington Township occupies the southeast corner of Franklin County, bounded to the east by Adams County
and to the south by Washington and Frederick counties in the state of Maryland. The township surrounds the bor-
ough of Waynesboro, a separate municipality. The western two -thirds of the township are in the Great Appalachian
Valley, while the eastern third is on the ridges and valleys of South Mountain. The Appalachian Trail traverses South
Mountain through the township. http://www.washtwp-franklin.org/
Waynesboro Borough is in the Cumberland Valley between Hagerstown, Maryland and Chambersburg, Pennsyl-
vania. It is 2 miles north of the Mason-Dixon line and close to Camp David and the Raven Rock Mountain Complex.
According to U.S. Census the borough encompasses 3.4 square miles. http://www.waynesboropa.org/
28
Franklin County Operations by the Numbers Franklin County Operations by the Numbers
29
Franklin County Operations by the Numbers
30
Franklin County Operations by the Numbers
31
Terminology
REVENUE
Capital Projects & Bond Sale: Funds expended by the county for long-term fixed assets, including buildings
and improvements, fixed and moveable equipment and information technology.
Charges for Services: Payments from customers for the provision of specific services to a person or entity.
Payments can include revenue from another governmental unit for specific services provided.
Contributions & Other: Expenditures or sources of funds not shown elsewhere, including contributions to or
utilization of reserves.
Hotel Room Rental Taxes: Taxes on overnight lodging which are used for tourist promotion.
Interest and Investment Earnings: Interest and dividends paid on bank deposits or other investments,
including gains from sale of investments.
Intergovernmental: Receipts from other governments (federal, state, and local) in the form of grants,
entitlements or payments in lieu of taxes.
Mill: One-tenth (0.1) of one cent, or .001 of one dollar.
Millage: The rate used in calculating taxes based upon the assessed value of a property, expressed in mills.
Real Estate Taxes: General purpose and special millages, including debt services and library taxes.
Taxes: Levied directly by the county for its own use. Included in this category of tax revenues are current and
delinquent taxes, to include principle and interest on delinquencies,
and hotel taxes.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing
to fail”
~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
32
Terminology
EXPENDITURES
Allocations: Distribution of funds across various departments and operations.
Community & Economic Development: Expenditures for improving the quality of life in the community, to
include economic development projects and support to county-affiliated organizations whose mission is
consistent.
Contributions & Other: Expenditures or sources of funds not shown elsewhere, including contributions to or
utilization of reserves.
Cultures & Recreation: Expenditures for activities to improve the
quality of life in the community.
Economic Development: Expenditures for industrial development
corporations and other nonprofit groups for economic develop-
ment projects.
Emergency Management, Including 911: Expenditures for 911
emergency telephone and dispatching systems, emergency
management planning and operations.
General Government-Judicial: Includes expenditures for judicial
activities of the county; specifically Courts, District Judges, Domestic
Relations, Law Library, Constables, Coroner, District Attorney,
Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills & Recorder of
Deeds, and Sheriff.
General Government-Services: Cost related to the central admin-
istration of the county government as distinct from individual
operating departments reported below. Includes planning and
development, financial management, legal office, assessment, tax
claim bureau and voter services, as well as central support services
such as data processing, personnel, telecommunications and maintenance of public buildings.
Housing & Community Development: Expenditures for housing rehabilitation, assistance to low-income
housing projects, community development corporations and other nonprofit groups for community develop-
ment projects.
33
Human Services: Expenditures for the preservation of public health and assistance to segments of the
population that are unable to fully care for themselves, including: Agency on Aging, Children & Youth,
Drug & Alcohol, Early Intervention, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Veterans Affairs, and
Public Defender.
Liquid Fuels: Expenditures for bridge maintenance and construction.
Miscellaneous expenditures: Includes expenditures only when the county accounting system does not
permit their allocation to particular departments.
Other Culture & Recreation: Expenditures for historical societies, museums, etc.
Other Public Safety: County allocations to hazmat team operations.
Other Sources: Primarily, spending of bond proceeds for current year capital purchases or utilization of
designated or excess reserves.
Support to Other County Operations: Contributions to other county operations not otherwise fully
funded, including Human Service programs, Domestic Relations and Emergency Services.
Tourist Promotion: Allocations to county and regional tourist promotion activities.
Transfers: Represents operating transfers of funds from one governmental fund to another governmen-
tal fund when one fund is legally responsible to support the other (e.g. General Fund & Human
Services).
Terminology
34
“An investment in knowledge pays
the best interest.”
~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
“Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes”
~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
35
Presented by:
Franklin County Fiscal Department
Teresa Beckner, CPA,
CGMA, Director
Administration Annex
218 North Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 261-3101