HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-01 Commissioner MinutesWEDNESDAY, July 1, 2026
The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, July 1, 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 Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was public comment from Valerie Jordan who stated that the Commissioners
made the right decision to stop the lawsuit with Transource. She reported that she and her
husband visited the existing power line and substation and later attended the school board
meeting where the Coalition appeared. She and her husband did not believe the Coalition would
win at the PUC and noted that 70% of landowners had already signed with Transcou r ce, with
eminent domain possible for the rest. She added that her husband would speak next week
regarding r abbit transit and asked whether fencing would be installed around buses due to
catalytic converter theft, emphasizing that seniors rely on them. Commissioner Horst asked
County Administrator Carrie Gray to address about r abbit buses. Ms. Gray stated that
staff was in communication with rabbittransit to p ark the buses in a more secure location and
that they already have cameras at the location as this is the second instance in the last five or
10 years that catalytic converters have been stolen.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board
unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include:
Minutes from June 24, 2026.
Vouchers in the amount of $1,930,145.68.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Healthy Communities Partnership of
Greater Franklin County to provide attendance and school engagement services to participating
Franklin County school districts. Services billed at a rate of $16.00 per 15 minute unit, which is
a four percent increase from last year. Funding is 95% state grants with a five percent required
match to be paid by the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Harmony Heights Housing LLC for
community-based residential placement services for Children and Youth and/or Juvenile
Probation. Services billed at a rate of $650.00 per day. Funding is 80% state with a 20%
requ ired match to be paid by the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and National Mentor Healthcare, LLC DBA
Pennsylvania Mentor for adult residential services for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Services billed at a rate of $513.07 per day. Funding for this contract will be supported using the
flexibility of the Human Services Block Grant to offset the impact to the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and CSI Corporate Security and
Investigations, LLC to provide investigative and location services at a cost of $110.00 per hour.
Funding is 80% state with a required 20% match to be paid by the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Avanco International, Inc. for support
services related to the child welfare management system. Funding total not to exceed $6,937.80
is 65% state with a required 35% match to be paid by the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Counseling Services, Inc.
for individual, group, and family therapy. Services billed at an average rate of $150.00 per hour.
Funding is 80% state with a required 20% match to be paid by the General Fund.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Adelphoi Village for placement services
for Children and Youth and/or Juvenile Probation. This agreement covers multiple levels of care,
each with an associated rate structure averaging $603.00 per day, reflecti ng a four percent
increase from the prior year. Funding varies based on level of care from 50%-80% state dollars
and required match ranging from 20%-50%, match will be paid by the General Fund. As part of
this agreement, the County will contract for one d etention bed (Juvenile Probation) at a rate of
$815.73 per day. County General Fund will be required when the bed is unoccupied. State
dollars will be used when the bed is occupied at a rate of 50% with a 50% required match.
Lease agreement between the County of Franklin and Darren Garvin 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 August 1, 2026 through July 31, 202 7. 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 Darren Garvin 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 August 1, 2026 through July 31, 202 7. 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 su pportive 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 Neidlinger Management LLC for
the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program that covers total rent plus any
landlord-covered utilities at a cost of $11,880.00 for the period of August 1, 2026 through July
31, 2027. The County holds the lease with the landlord and the participant subleases from the
County. Program participants are responsible for any utilities no t 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 Nicklas and Diane Helman for the
HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program that covers total rent plus any landlord-
covered utilities at a cost of $11,100.00 for the period of August 1, 2026 through J uly 31, 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 lin ked with supportive services and case
management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. This will be paid from
the HUD grant.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and the Franklin County Jail for approval to
allocate $750,000.00 in Opioid Settlement funding to support the Franklin County Jail
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program. This funding will sustain and expand ac cess to
evidence-based treatment for individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) while incarcerated,
including the use of FDA-approved medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, and
naltrexone, alongside counseling and case management. The investment wil l enhance care
coordination, improve reentry planning, and help reduce recidivism and overdose risk upon
release. This allocation is consistent with national best practices and Exhibit E guidance,
targeting high-need, justice-involved populations impacted by the opioid crisis.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Herbert, Rowland, and Grubic Inc (HRG)
for a supplement to the current National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) 2026-2030 Bridge
Inspection contract with HRG for the addition of work units that are now requir ed following the
Federal Highway Administration transition from NBIS to Specifics for National Bridge Inventory
(SNBI) regulations, at a cost not to exceed $81,362.23.
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Urban Design Ventures on behalf of
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County for the completion of an Environmental Review Record.
This environmental review will further the CDBG Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Habitat for Humanity
acquisition project, in order to acquire real property for the construction of a single-family home
for a Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) family at a cost of $10,000.00. This will be paid by
Community Development Block Grant FY 2025.
The Board reviewed regular agenda items. Ms. Gray provided a high-level overview of
each of the actions.
The Commissioners presented a check to Arcadia Clever and Jessica Brindle of the
Boys and Girls Club of Chambersburg and Shippensburg, for the employee dress down
fundraiser that was held in June. Keri Kenney, HR Coordinator, said we raised $685.00 from a
total of 1 37 employees from 22 different departments. This was $100 more than the last time we
supported the Boys and Girls Club. Ms. Jessica Brindle stated the Boys and Girls Club focused
on helping raise good humans and supporting families in the community. S h e thanked the
county for recognizing the importance of investing in children and youth and expressed heartfelt
appreciation on behalf of the or ganization. Ms. Clever thanked everyone for their participation.
She noted that donations to the Boys and Girls Club supported the next generation and
emphasized the importance of providing mento r s and a safe trib e for children who may not have
one. She said the organization served that role for many youths. She added that someday,
when the community retired, they would know the next generation was prepared because of the
support provided. She closed by expressing her gratitude. Commissioner Horst thanked Ms.
Brindle and Ms. Clever for their work and stated that helping children was a noble cause. He
said that providing support to you t h was an important step in preparing the m for their future. He
expressed appreciation once again and noted that county employees consistently donated each
month, thanking them for their continued support. Commissioner Flannery agreed with
Commissioner Horst and thanked Ms. Kenney, the employees, and the presenters for their
work. He noted t ha t he had attended a grand opening of the facility and asked whether the Boys
and Girls Club had moved into the Housing Authority building, stating that he had not yet visited
the site. Ms. Brindle invited the c ommissioners to come visit stating that they were in week three
of an eight-week summer camp. She said the program operated from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except for the upcoming holiday. She stated tha t all regular programs
were being provided and emphasized the value of seeing the work firsthand. She added that the
partnership with the H ousing Authority had been extremely positive for that part of the
community and expressed hope that the relationship would continue to grow. Commissioner
Flannery stated the Housing Authority board would be meeting within the next two weeks and
noted that the Boys and Girls Club would still be in its eight-week program at th a t time. He said
he would speak with Director Danny Myers and possibly arrange for the commissioners to visit
the facility. He thanked them for all their work. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that he could
only echo the comments of his fellow commissioners. He said the Boys and Girls Club was
doing wonderful work for children and expressed appreciation for the county employees who
had stepped up to support the effort.
Commissioner Horst stated that the next recognition was for Betty Mellott, a county
resident who would turn 100 years old the foll o wing day. He said it was a great milestone and
expressed that it was an honor to acknowledge her on behalf of the county. He then read the
Citation which has been made a part of these minutes. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the Citation.
During New Business, Commissioner Horst noted that due to the extreme heat affecting
the county, cooling stations had been opened. He raised the question regarding whether all
aging centers were participating or only select locations. Communications Coordinator Sheen a
Baker stated that Chambersburg and Greencastle are open till 7:00 p.m. that day and the
following evening. She stated that the other senior center s were open during their regular
operating hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and reminded everyone that the C ounty would be closed
on Friday. Commissioner Horst noted that Saturday marked -year anniversary.
He stated that he felt blessed to live in this county, emphasized that its freedoms should not be
taken for granted, and expressed hope that the nation would see another 250 years.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 a.m. o n a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
Seconded by John T. Flannery.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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Dean A. Horst, Chairman
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John T. Flannery
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Robert G. Ziobrowski
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