HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-26 Commissioner Minutes
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2023
The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, July 26, 2023, with the following
members present: David S. Keller, John T. Flannery 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.
The meeting was live streamed.
On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda.
Kim Wertz provided public comment that she was i
checking for homelessness and some comments she received basically reaffirmed what she
already knew that it seems some municipalities, if not all of them, are trying to ignore the
homeless problem and pushing it off onto the County. She stated that homelessness is not just
a county problem, it's a municipal problem. She is requesting that the Commissioners get on
problem too. She continued that there are people who enjoy being homeless but for
in downtown Chambersburg or rundown hotels that could be turned into residences or
temporary housing for homeless people. Some of the homeless are families and the kids need
to have structure so they have a place to call home. She would love to see a development
company come in and build an apartment complex or single family homes and have some
designated for low income people. She knows that developers are in business to make money
and would take a hit on profits but in the long run, those developers could get a good reputation
that they are in it for the community not just the money. She implores the Commissioners to get
with the municipalities and try to find a solution.
On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously
approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
The minutes of the July 19, 2023 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T.
Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the minutes.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner Flannery
asked for more information on action item #9 in relation to the Courthouse Annex renovation. It
looks like we are at that position of communications in that building. He is asking what this
quote entails and is this the company that we have dealt with connectivity problems in current
buildings and a
Services Director, responded that the connectivity issues deal more with the end product that
we are using as far as video conferencing. This company is the wiring company that provides
the copper wire networking infrastructure. They will also do a review of where we might need
access points for Wi-
Wilt continued that the end products we use for audio visual will be reviewed and we may not
necessarily go with what we have in the past. Commissioner Flannery asked if the access
points have not been the issue in the other buildings. Mr. Wilt responded that no, we actually
had a third party vendor come in to do a study and reviewed our network particularly in the
judicial center and they found no issues to the network. The items will be decided upon in the
afternoon session.
The Board met with Charles Martin, Human Resources Generalist, and Deputy
Controller Etta Rotz for Salary Board matters. Also in attendance were Doug Wilburne, Chief
Probation Officer, John Thierwechter, Assistant County Administrator and Michelle Weller,
Deputy Warden attending in person and President Judge Shawn Meyers and Court
Administrator Mark Singer who both attended virtually..
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, provided a fiscal update to the Board which is attached
She explained
that today she will be reviewing the 2023 budget performance through May which is 42% of the
budget year. Ms. Beckner reviewed the General Fund expenditures with the Board and stated
that we are performing well compared to budget for the first five months.Ms.Beckner provided
information on the General Fund revenues year to date that are at $43.1M compared to $56.2M
budgeted, which is 76.6%, for the first 5 months of the year. Through May, the General Fund
revenue is almost $2.0M (approx. 4.9%) more than last
spent $23.6M year to date of our $60.3M budget, or 39.2%, compared to $22.4M last year, an
increase of $1.2M, or 5.3%. Ms. Beckner provided additional data regarding General Fund
expenditures and revenues. Ms. Beckner continued that charges for services are also
over the prior year. This includes $415,000 General Fund in higher interest earnings from
initiatives taken to improve the rates the County is earning on deposits. Commissioner
Ziobrowski asked if the company we hired to come in and more accurately find what liquidity we
have has resulted in a $450,000 increase in our bottom line thus far. Ms. Beckner responded
that the amount is $415,000 for the first 5 months of the year in just the General Fund.
Commissioner Flannery said he inquired about this yesterday with Carrie Gray and he had an
update this morning that the number she received from CashVest to date is
tax billings and collections in more detail this includes both General Fund or general purpose
and Debt Service Real Estate Taxes that total billings for 2023 are $45.2M, just shy of a $1M
increase over the prior year, representing a 2.2% increase. Of that $1M, roughly $850,000 goes
to the General Fund and the remaining $150K for debt service. The five-year average growth
rate in the value of a mill has been 1.8%. A mill grew by $34,074 for 2023, for a total of
$991,558. The 2023 value of a mill is $1,600,181 when billed and we historically collect at least
Total dollars collected through May are 2.2% higher than the prior year. General Fund
Expenditures can generally expect to be incurred evenly over the course of the year, particularly
st
after the 1
budget year (5/12ths). Expenditures YTD have increased $1.2M or 5.3% over 2022. She
provided more information on the expenditures. Ms. Beckner provided information on the all
services budget that excludes pension and retiree health funds but including the General Fund
and an overview of County revenues. With Investment income, at 157%, already exceeding
what was budgeted. This is directly related to improved interest rates and cash management
practices as they discussed earlier. Ms. Beckner reviewed with the Board additional data
regarding transfers in, expenditures and revenues.
The Board recessed and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for final approval of the items that
were reviewed.
The Board reconvened at 2:00 p.m.
There was no public comment.
The Board reviewed Children and Youth matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the updated contract listing for
additional contracts and addendums for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 for the Children & Youth
department. Contract listing is maintained for proper accounting of all contracts to include
vendor name and address, type(s) of service provided and rate(s) charged for services.
The Board reviewed Community Connections matters. On a motion by John T.
Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between
the County of Franklin and Mental Health Association of Franklin and Fulton Counties to provide
the Peer Support Program which is a program that links certified peer specialists with qualifying
individuals who have a mental health diagnosis or co-occurring disorder and wish to further their
own recovery at a cost of $9,030.00 for the period of August 1, 2023 through August 1, 2024.
The participants in the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing program are able to utilize the peer
support program to develop recovery skills and to assist with the transition from homelessness.
The Board reviewed additional Community Connections matters. On a motion by John
T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between
the County of Franklin and Service Access and Management, Inc. (SAM) to provide Mental
Health Case Management services for participants of the HUD Supportive Housing programs at
a cost of $15,000.00 for the period of August 1, 2023 through August 1, 2024. Mental Health
Case Management for participants in the HUD Supportive Housing programs grant includes
Blended Case Management (BCM) which is targeted to serve adults with serious and persistent
mental illness.
The Board reviewed additional Community Connections matters. On a motion by John
T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between
the County of Franklin and Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority aka rabbittransit,
provides transportation to appointments for adults who are participants in the HUD Supportive
Housing programs at a cost of $5,000.00 for the period of August 1, 2023 through August 1,
2024. Persons served by the HUD Supportive Housing programs grants via this contract are
able to access the needed services, supports, and supplies which enable them to move forward
in their recovery to housing stability allowing for them to exit the programs within a (5) five-year
time frame.
The Board reviewed additional Community Connections matters. On a motion by John
T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the lease agreement
between the County of Franklin and WACCO Properties for the HUD Permanent Supportive
Housing Lease Program (Shelter Plus Care PA0649) that covers the total rent plus any landlord
covered utilities for their program participants at a cost of $7,440.00 for the period of August 1,
2023 through August 1, 2024. The County holds the Lease with the landlord and the program
participant subleases from the County. Program participants are responsible for utilities that are
not included in the lease/rent. The rent and utilities cannot equal more than 30% of the program
for the year. Participants are linked with Supportive
Services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing.
The Board reviewed Department of Emergency Services matters. On a motion by John
T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the Order Form Contract from Lumen to replace and program a non-
functioning phone at a position at the 911 Center, at a cost of $300.00. A current back-up
phone will be used; this is for moving and programming the phone.
The Board reviewed District Attorney matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the County
of Franklin and Cellebrite to provide premium technology that allows law enforcement personnel
access to the newest locked, encrypted, and updated mobile devices to collect digital evidence
such as phone logs, chat messages, emails, images and other information that is locked and
encrypted to aid in investigations. The cost is $17,470.69 for the period of July 1, 2023 through
June 30, 2024.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the
Engagement Letter from MaherDuessel, Certified Public Accountants Acceptance - PEMA has
contracted with and requested MaherDuessel Certified Public Accountants to audit the program
financial statements of the 911 Program of Franklin County, which comprises the program
statements of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balance and the related notes to the
program financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 in conformity
with the reporting provisions of PEMA on the regulatory basis of accounting. Specified
supplementary information accompanying the financial statements will also be subjected to the
auditing procedures applied to the financial statements. Audit reports are expected to be issued
no later than December 31, 2023. This is a requirement of PEMA and there is no additional
cost to the County for this service.
The Board reviewed Information Technology Services matters. On a motion by John T.
Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the quote from PhiVTech Solutions LLCto complete the entire new network
wiring in the Courthouse Annex renovation at a cost of $171,457.00. This quote also includes a
study to determine how many and where to place Wireless Access Points and an estimate for
the work to install the wiring for them as well.
The Board reviewed Planning Department matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the agreements as part of the bridge replacement project for County Bridge #26,
carrying Leafmore Road over Back Creek, temporary construction easements and permanent
right of way is needed. These agreements set forth purchase of the necessary property in
consideration of $1.00 for each for the following property owners in Chambersburg, PA: Leslie
Gene Smith & Elizabeth A. Basiliko-Smith at 3413 Leafmore Road; Samuel P. & Barbara A.
Yoder at 3420 Leafmore Road; Corey G. & Rachel E. Martin at 4159 Leafmore Road.
The Board reviewed additional Planning Department matters. On a motion by John T.
Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the agreements between the County of Franklin and Charles T. Crider as part
of the bridge replacement project for County Bridge #63, carrying Hickory Run Road over
Conodoguinet Creek in Lurgan and Southampton Townships, temporary construction
easements are needed. These agreements set forth purchase ofthe necessary property in
consideration of $1.00 for each agreement.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:08 p.m. with a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded
by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
John K. Thierwechter
Assistant County Administrator
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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David S. Keller, Chairman
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John T. Flannery
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Robert G. Ziobrowski