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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-10 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 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. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. There was public comment from Valerie Jordan expressed concern about the recent increase of $1.00 (50%) for senior meals. Ms. Jordan went on to share concerns about potential federal use of referencing reports of detention-type facilities in other states. She stated that she did not want to see similar circumstances arise locally and requested that the Commissioners oppose any such proposal if they became aware of this. She shared personal family history related to World War II and expressed fear that vulnerable populations could again be placed in harmful situations. She asked the Commissioners to contact the Governor if any related information surfaced and urged them not to support any federal purchase of the property for that purpose. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include: Minutes from June 3, 2026. Vouchers in the amount of $546,793.91. Lease agreement between the County of Franklin and Rodney C. Mose and Cindee L. Moss for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program that covers total rent plus any landlord-covered utilities at a cost of $10,800.00 for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The County holds the lease with the landlord and the participant subleases from the County. Program participants are responsible for any utilities not included in the lease rent, up to 30% of their adjusted gross income. Participants are linked with supportive services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. This will be paid from the HUD grant. Lease agreement between the County of Franklin and Beverly Court LLC for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program that covers total rent plus any landlord-covered utilities at a cost of $10,200.00 for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The County holds the lease with the landlord and the participant subleases from the County. Program participants are responsible for any utilities not included in the lease rent, up to 30% of their adjusted gross income. Participants are linked with supportive services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. This will be paid from the HUD grant. Memorandum request for approval of incentive funds, up to $6,500.00, to support five Franklin County Domestic Relations Section (DRS) employees in the participation of staff development through the Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania Annual Conference, taking place in October 2026. Staff will have the opportunity to network, learn about changes in laws and policy, develop new ways to assist clients and eliminate barriers to customer service and the ability to collaborate and troubleshoot with other DRS staff across the state. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for Level Up 911 to conduct, three, two-day training events for 911 dispatchers over the course of the grant between June 10, 2026 and September 30, 2027. There is no cost to the County. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Illuminated Integration will replace existing Courtroom #1 polycom infrastructure and bring back Zoom functionality to the courtroom at a cost of $7,954.80. After successful completion of one courtroom, the County will be upgrading the remaining six courtrooms via a separate agreement. This will be paid by the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Chambersburg School District to provide a Juvenile Probation Officer for five days a week during the school year 2026-2027. The School District will provide to the County of Franklin $69,544.80, which covers half of the cost for this service. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. On a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the board approved the agreement between the County of Franklin and Blue Raster for conversion of Parcel Fabric to ArcGIS Pro and associated upgrades to ArcGIS Enterprise servers due to the end of support for existing parcel fabric platform at a cost not to exceed $52,700.00. This will be paid by an allocation across all operations. About 65% is estimated to be paid by the General Fund. Planning Director Quentin Clapper recognized Mr. Jeff Grove, who had retired after 35 years of service on the Franklin County Agricultural Land Preservation Board. Mr. Clapper noted that Mr. Grove had joined the Board in the early 1990s and helped guide the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program from its inception. Over more than three decades, the Board had preserved thousands of acres of farmland and surpassed milestones of 5,000, 10,000 and then 20,000 acres of protected agricultural land. This work ensured that agriculture remained a leadership and stewardship had supported the growth and continued success of the program. Tstrengthen local agriculture by protecting valuable soils and rural character. With appreciation, Mr. Clapper thanked Mr. Grove for his many years of service to the Agricultural Preservation Board, to the farming community and to the residents of Franklin County. He extended best wishes for his retirement and acknowledged commitment as chair, including his willingness to manage correspondence, sign documents, and remain engaged despite his busy schedule. Mr. Grove expressed his appreciation for the recognition he received and stated that, through his years of service, the county had remained healthy and strong. He shared that he had greatly valued working with Warren Elliott and Sam Worley over the years. He noted that he had witnessed considerable growth within the county, along with sound safety practices that supported agricultural progress. He added that he looked forward to seeing continued agricultural growth for the county and agricultural community to strengthen their common bond. Mr. Grove thanked the Commissioners and the program staff for the opportunity to serve and stated that he anticipated many more years of farmland preservation and agricultural advancement in Franklin County. Commissioner Horst expressed his own appreciation for Mr. remarks. Commissioner Horst thanked Mr. Grove for the time and energy he had devoted to such commitment was exceptional. He acknowledged that there were likely times when Mr. Grove would have preferred to be doing other things, yet he continued to show up and persevere. Commissioner Horst emphasized that future generations would be gratefulfor his work. He also highlighted important economic drivers, and that protecting it was essential. He concluded by thanking Mr. Grove for his contributions. Commissioner Flannery stated that Mr. Grove would certainly be missed. He noted that Mr. Gove was always closely associated with agricultural preservation and that his absence would be felt. Commissioner Flannery wished Mr. Grove the very best in his retirement. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated he had first worked with the Agricultural Preservation Board in 1991 when he initial agricultural preservation commercial appraisals. He remarked that he and Mr. Grove went back many years. Commissioner Ziobrowski commended Mr. Grove for his outstanding work, noting that preserving 20,000 acres of farmland was an extraordinary accomplishment and that Mr. Grove successfully guided the organization throughout his 35 years of service. Ms. Gray stated that, if the Board preferred, the tax settlement appeals could be ratified as a block. She explained that there would be three motions and provided a brief summary of each proposed settlement. The firstappeal involves Laurel Lakes Rehabilitation Nursing Center, operated by Franklin Farm Lane LLC and located at 201 Franklin Farm Lane. A settlement had been reached for the 2025 tax year that would result in an annual county tax increase of $8,302.51. Next, she summarized the appeal by Center Investment II, LLC owner of and Seafood location in Chambersburg. The entity had appealed its 2026 taxes, and the proposed settlement would result in a county tax refund of $2,732.49. The final matter concerned Atramento Properties, LLC owner of 80 Industrial Drive in Chambersburg. The company had appealed the taxes from 2022 tax year forward. The Board of Assessment and Revision of Taxes had reduced the assessed value, and the proposed settlement before the Commissioners equated to an annual county tax increase of approximately $1,201.00 beginning in 2026. Voting as a block on a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the board approved the following Tax Appeal Settlements: Franklin Farm Lane, LLC - Approval to authorize Solicitor to execute the settlement stipulation to resolve the tax assessment appeal docketed to civil case no. 2024-4094, increasing the assessed value of the property to $1,967,210.00 for the 2025 tax year and $1,843,320.00 for the 2026 tax year. Centre Investment II, LLC - Approval to authorize Solicitor to execute the settlement stipulation to resolve the tax assessment appeal docketed to civil case no. 2025-4527, lowering the assessed value of the property to $113,670.00 for the 2026 tax year. Atramento Properties, LLC -Approval to authorize Solicitor to execute the settlement stipulation to resolve the tax assessment appeal docketed to civil case no. 2021-3298, increasing the assessed value of the property to $195,000.00for the 2026 tax year. During New Business,Commissioner Flannery noted that, although the Board had not discussed the tax appeals in detail duringthe meeting, he wanted it on record that the school districts, being the largest taxing authorities in the county, had also approved the same settlement agreements. Commissioner Ziobrowskistatedthat he wished to return to the concerns raised earlier by Ms. Jordan regarding the recent increase in senior center meal prices. He asked Ms. Gray to clarify how much seniors were currentlypaying for meals, the amount of the increase, and whether the payments werevoluntary. Ms. Gray responded that all senior center meal payments were voluntary. She stated thatthe meal contribution had increasedfrom$2.00 to $3.00 per meal. She explained that these contributions covered only a portion of the overall meal cost and did not fully fund the program. The meeting was adjourned at 10:29a.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 *May be assisted by Copilot