HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-02 Commissioners Meeting
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2025
The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, March 26, 2025, with the
following members present: Dean A. Horst,John T. Flannery, and Robert G. Ziobrowski.
Commissioner Horst 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.
County Administrator Carrie Gray asked that 3.04 for Commissioners be removed from
the agenda and during Salary Board for 5.05 the Wardenwould like tochange the number of
effected positions from six to 10.On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approvedto adopt the amended agenda.
The minutes of the March 26, 2025 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T.
Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approvedthe minutes.
There was public comment from Kim Wertzwhohad a few questions. First,she wanted
to know if she heard correctly that the County hasabout a 45-daycontingency. She finds this
unacceptable and would like to see a minimum of 60 days.The reason for this is when she was
originally on the human services block grant committeethere was a legislator that she guessed
rnorand didwhat he could to stall the passing of the budget. The budget
block grant abilityto carry over funding,
they had to scrambleto find funds to keep the programs that they oversee up and runningto a
reasonable and acceptable level.she would like to
know how many years that the Board projectsbefore the county is going to have to raisetaxes.
Commissioner Horst responded that hethinks there are 60 daysin contingency but asked Ms.
Gray to verify.As far as raising the taxes, he statedthey are going to do their best not to have to
do so.
Valerie Jordan commented that she is interestedin 3.02 for Aging as she has never
seen this on the agenda before. She is about to pay her county tax bill and it is the same as last
year. Everything is the same,but thebudget went down from $171.2 million down to $162.7
million which means the countycut services. If the commissionersraised the 2025 budget by
two percentover last year, hercounty taxbill would have goneup by $22.61for the yearor
$0.06 a day. Her county tax bill was $1,130.61which isthe same as last year. Two percent
would have been $1,153.22. Certaindepartments be able to do that
next year. She thinks the Board will have to raise taxesor there will be big deficits because
people are going to demand services.She asked the Board to keep in mind since they started
discussing budgets last week, she knows that the people in Voter Registrationbecausethis
county has grown by 20% in five years time.This is not a Republican or Democratthing, this is
a math thing. Theyare here to serve the peopleandtheyarehere to service the people that are
going to be coming into Penn National in a year or twos time.Ms. Nitterhouse is putting in
another development along another stretch of property. She is going to go and count all the new
homes being bult right now by builders the Board knows,and she knows.You say that people
ices get cut and they get angry.She is glad that
the county is puttingthe amount for the voucherson the agenda as that is a right to know.
Commissioner Horst stated that the budget decreasewas not a cut in service but a cut in capital
expenditures.
Kim Wertz wanted to follow up. When you say capital,she assumes that you mean
bridges. With a reduction in funds, how criticalwould it make bridge repair close to a danger
zone. Commissioner Horst replied that our bridges are doing well right now. We have a great
team that goes out and inspects them to make sure they are safe. They are on a replacement
schedule. As far as the capital, looking at tearing down a building, that is a capital expense.
On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board
unanimously approved all consent agenda items to include:
All bills presented and ordered paid in the amount of $123,380.62.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The agreement allows for the distribution of
vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables to Franklin County seniors (60 years and older) for the
period June 1, 2025 through September 30, 2025. Vouchers are reimbursed at the end of the
program period with State funding. Ms. Gray stated that these vouchers have been given out for
the past few years. The State is providing funding, and the public can get more information
about vouchers from the Area Agency on Aging staff.
Letter of extension for the original lease agreement between the County of Franklin and
Ronnie Martin Leasing & Developing Inc. for the property located at 22 North Oller Avenue,
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. The property leased is the office of District Court 39-3-02, MDJ
Gomez Shockey, at a cost of $53,728.44 per year for the time period beginning October 1, 2025
and ending on September 30, 2030. This will be paid by the General Fund.
Fiscal Year 2023 CDBG Subrecipient agreement between the County of Franklin and
the Borough of Greencastle for the allocation of $54,210.00 in CDBG Funds for Greencastle to
install a flashing beacon system at E. Baltimore Street / South Ridge Avenue.
The Board will consider reappointing Mike Ross to the SCPa Works (South Central
Workforce Investment Board) for a term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.
The Board reviewed regular agenda items. Ms. Gray provided a high-level overview of
each of the actions.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and CenturyLink Communications LLC. To
provide SIP trunking for the new Microsoft Phone system. It will replace the two PRIs we have in
place now which include two from Comcast and one from CenturyLink at a cost of $51,907.50.
This will be paid by an allocation across all operations. About 68% is estimated to be paid by the
General Fund. Commissioner Flannery asked if this is mandatory with this system. Ms. Gray
responded yes, for the phone upgrade.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and AllCom Global Services for two multi-
lens cameras (each camera has four fixed lenses) that they are proposing for the new Franklin
County Admin parking lot at a cost of $12,498.41. This will be paid by the Workers Comp
Reserve funds.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and AllCom Global Services to provide and
install a Prima 8 600 DPI printer. This is a badge printer for county ID badges. We are no longer
able to buy replacement parts or film products for the machine as the current printer has
reached "end of life." This is at a cost of $9,520.58. This will be paid by the Workers Comp
Reserve funds.
Before moving on to the check presentation. Commissioner Horst welcomedJudge Zook.
The Commissioners presented a check to Program Director Susan Rotz of the Franklin
County 4H Therapeutic Riding Center for the employee dress down fundraiser that was held in
March. Keri Kenney, HR Coordinator, said we raised $720.00 from a total of 147 employees from
22 different departments. Ms. Rotz stated she has been there for a little over 40 years and brought
two riders and volunteers that have also been there for over 40 years, David Dresser and Steve
Ebersol, as well as Michael Martin, the 4H Educator. She wanted to thank everyone for their
support as they really need fundraisers like these to keep running. The County and County
Commissioners
continued that it is a wonderful program and invited everyone to come out and visit. They have
60 riders that ride once a week and have over 30 volunteers but are always looking for more. Ms.
Rotz then asked Mr. Ebersole what he likes about riding. He stated that he enjoys being around
the horses and volunteering. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that he likes hat. Mr.
Michael Martin wanted to thank the County for their supportto Penn State Extension, to 4H, and
the Therapeutic Riding Center. It has been in existence since 1982, and the two gentleman
standing with him had been riding as youths and now volunteer and ride as adults. a program
that connects with people over a lifetime and can notbe done without the county support. He
invited people to drive up Franklin Farm Lane and see that about half of the lane is horse pasture
and their facilities. They have 10 horses that continually have to eat and your contributions will
help there as well with the adaptive equipment. Commissioner Horst thanked them for all that they
do out there with the horses and the folks that ride them. He once again stated that it's amazing
that our employees give so muchevery month and are thankful that the employees are so giving.
To Ms. Kenney, thank you for all that you do. Commissioner Flannery first thankedMs. Kenney
and all the employees that donated. had the opportunity to come out and see and won't
volunteer as he horses, . He
thanked them for the work that they do. Ms. Rotz stated that Bob Kessler started it in 1982and
former County Commissioner Bob Thomas daughter rides in the program as well. Commissioner
Flannery asked if Mr. Thomas gets close to the horses. Ms. Rotz stated that his wife does,and
their daughter loves it. Will send an invite to have them come out and see what they are all about.
Commissioner Ziobrowski first thanked Ms. Rotz and congratulated Mr. Ebersol and Mr. Dresser
for 40 years of riding and Mr. Martin for being here today.
The Board reviewed Proclamation #2025-05 for the purpose of proclaiming the week of
April 13-19 Telecommunicators Week. Ms. Gray introduced DES Director Mary K. Seville. She
wanted toto take this opportunity to thank the commissioners and county administration for
recognizing our 911 telecommunicators. Our dispatchers are the first, first responders and are
on the front line of public safety every hour of every day. They are the unsung heroes, serving
as the lifeline between people in need and the first responders who rush to their aid. They have
to be problem solvers, counselors, and listeners, and be able to make split-second decisions
that can mean the difference between life and death. They often go unnoticed by the public and
that is why the recognition of Telecommunicator Week is so important. We want to thank you for
your continued support of our department with this proclamation for National Public Safety
Telecommunicators Week - April 13-19. Commissioner Horst stated that these guys and gals
work extremely hard back there to protect us here at the county and we say thank you and
appreciate all that you do. Commissioner Flannery speaking to Ms. Seville stated that is the one
phone call you hope you never have to make but he is glad that she and her staff there to
answer that phone call and he is very proud of our telecommunicators. He then thanked them
for the job that they do. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that they are great professionals and
thanked them for the job that they do. Commissioner Horst then read the proclamation that has
been made a part of these minutes.
The Board reviewed Proclamation #2025-06 for the purpose of proclaiming the month of
April Month of the Young Child. Ms. Gray introduced Jennifer Hawbecker, Franklin County Early
Intervention Program Specialist. Ms. Hawbecker thanked the commissioners for proclaiming the
month of April as the month of the young child. life is the time with the
important to make sure we have
high quality early learning programs. Highly paid staff who provide those high-quality services to
those children. She is here in two aspects today. One as the Early Intervention Program
Specialist to help support those babies who may have some challenges in the first three years
of their lives and they go in and help support the families but the ladies standing with her are
from First Start Partnerships who provide high quality early learning to prenatally through five
years of age and actually they also provide professional development to early learning
educators in our community. Also joining her are two parents from First Start that are on the
policy council which is a governing body of First Start and Head Start programs so the parents
have a voice in saying what they want their children to be learning and what their program looks
like. She thanked everyone for allowing them to proclaim this a month of the young child and for
supporting early learning opportunities for children and families. Commissioner Horst thanked
Ms. Hawbecker for all that they do and the ladies with First Start. We know that those first years
are critical in the development of a child and what you guys do is amazing and they appreciate
it. Thank you. Commissioner Flannery stated thank you as well and to put things in perspective
and in 30, 40, 50 years three of those young children will be sitting up here where the
commissioners are sitting. Thank you for all that you do. Commissioner Ziobrowski thanked Ms.
Hawbecker and all the staff and parents from First Start Partnership. Commissioner Horst then
read the proclamation that has been made a part of these minutes.
Ms. Gray introduced Stacey Brookens, Administrator for Mental Health/ Intellectual
Developmental Disabilities/ Early Intervention (MH/IDD/EI) and welcomed back Jennifer
Hawbecker, Early Intervention Program Specialist, to present the Early Intervention program to
keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their emerging trends, topics of
interest and any concerns they may have. Her presentation was made a part of these minutes.
Commissioner Horst asked if the funding is 100% or is there a county match. Ms. Hawbecker
stated that the Franklin County match is nine percent. Commissioner Horst stated that he had
no further questions and that he appreciates all that they do.
a reliefto the parents when they step in and give direction. That also helps them out because he
can only imagine being a new parent needing these services
parents who are probably struggling with direction. Ms. Brookens stated that it is hard for
parents who are in the NICU that get that first initial diagnosis. Not all of them get it that early
but they can, and Ms. Hawbecker has been working with the hospital over the last couple of
years to bring a sense of comfort to those families to let them know that even though they may
have a seriouthey not alone and they try to get other families tocome
in and wor
home as a new parent, especially if they are a single mom or dad raising a child that has some
the home. They can go into the community
and work with them so that is nice as well. Commissioner Horst thanked them. Commissioner
Flannery stated well done and he had no questions. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated he had no
questions.
The Board met with Controller Harold Wissinger, Judge Jeremiah Zook, Court
Administrator Mark Singer, Juvenile Probation Deputy Chief Angie Mackley, Warden Heather
Franzoni, and Human Resources Generalist Charles Martin for Salary Board matters.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:13 a.m. on a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded
by Robert: G. Ziobrowski.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
____________________________________
Dean A. Horst, Chairman
____________________________________
John T. Flannery
___________________________________
Robert G. Ziobrowski
