HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-06 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, December 6, 2012, with the
following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas 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.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Allen Piper, President of Citizens for Responsible Government provided public
comment and would like an explanation of all the positions listed for action in Salary
Board today.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved the minutes of November 27, 2012 and November 29, 2012
meetings.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the amendment to
the agreement between the County of Franklin and VisionAir, Inc. for additional
language for the upgrade to “Inform IQ” the Board approved on November 15, 2012, to
show the upgrade addition to the original contract of May 24, 2007.
The Board reviewed Grants / CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the project modification to PA
Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to increase efficiencies and decrease
storage space for the extended period of July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, by
funding a business process analysis, implementing the Unified Case Management
System, scanning at various criminal justice departments, and providing table computers
for District Attorney’s Office.
The Board reviewed Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the subgrant award notice
from PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for the Act 111 Registration
Support Grant (#2009-AJ-06-23929) in the amount of $4,561.00. Beginning December
20, 2012 PA Counties must be able to register and update the state’s sex offender
registry. In order to ease the burden of Act 111, PCCD is offering each county up to
$4,991.00 to cover costs to comply with these new requirements. The Board executed
the grant agreement on November 8, 2012.
The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement
between the County of Franklin and The Standard Life Insurance Company, replacing
the current vendor USAble, effective January 1, 2013, for County Group Life Insurance,
Supplemental Life Insurance, and Dependent Life Insurance, with the contract amount
based on enrollment.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the County of
Franklin and Ergometrics & Applied Personnel Research, Inc. for online testing system
to screen for the best employment candidates for Adult Corrections at the Jail for an
annual cost of $2,800.00 for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the contract renewal between the County of Franklin and
Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company, Inc. for preventive maintenance and
inspection of County-owned generators and associated equipment located at the
Courthouse Annex, Falling Spring Nursing & Rehab Center, Department of Emergency
Services, and Clark’s Knob for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31,
2013 at a cost of $5,528.00, an increase of $360.00.
The Board reviewed additional Property Management matters. On a motion by
Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the contract renewal between the County of Franklin
and NAC Divisions for the semi-annual inspection and annual preventative maintenance
on fire alarm system in the Falling Spring Nursing & Rehab Center for the period of
January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013, at a cost of $4,860 with no increase.
The Board reviewed additional Property Management matters. On a motion by
Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the contract renewal between the County of Franklin
and NAC Divisions for the semi-annual inspection and annual preventative maintenance
on fire alarm systems throughout the following buildings for the period of January 1,
2013 through December 31, 2013, with no increases over last year:
A. Administrative Annex = $1,080.00
B. Ag Heritage = $ 300.00
C. Bldg. 2 = $ 240.00
D. HSB = $ 516.00
The Board reviewed Transportation matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the acknowledgment of
adjustment between the Department of Public Welfare and the County of Franklin for the
Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) Allocation for Fiscal Year 2011-
2012 in the amount of $845,061.00.
The Board met with the Human Resources Director, Controller, Sheriff, Director
of Property Management and the Chief Clerk for Salary Board matters.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2013 proposed
budget which will be on public display for twenty days. Ms. Beckner explained the
general fund budget is $42,745,000 compared to revised 2012 budget of $42,959,000
which is a $214,000 decrease. The wages and benefit line item includes salary
adjustments and cost of living adjustments along with retirement contribution. Operating
costs are $12.1M with no significant increase. Most departments operating budgets are
proposed with their actual 2012 spending. Ms. Beckner explained the transfers to
support other operations spreadsheet. Contingency will include $907,000 which is
consistent with prior years and includes three additional full-time and 1 part-time
positions. Also included is $744,000 in capital for the purchase of radios, computers,
scanners and $240,000 for death penalty cases. Ms. Beckner reported we will carry
over $1.5M savings from 2012, utilizing reserves in the amount of $400,000. Total
ending reserves are expected to be almost $13.3 million. That provides for 107 days of
general fund operations, well within the guidelines of GFOA and auditors.
Continued on page 3
John Hart, Chief Clerk/County Administrator explained this budget will maintain
the initiatives that were identified by the Board of Commissioners which were IS
initiatives, increased security, and records management. This budget also includes
money to conduct a Mechanical Engineering Plumbing (MEP) of county facilities to
identify conditions of county buildings and a 2% COLA which is in line with CPIU along
with wages and benefits for a salary survey which staff will present in Salary Board later
this month. Mr. Hart said this budget also includes Planning initiatives. This budget was
brought in as directed by the Board.
Commissioner Thomas responded that Mr. Hart was given instructions to
squeeze which is not new because we do this every year. Have 1.5M to the good at end
of this year, will this happen again next year? Ms. Beckner responded that working with
Directors and Elected Officials to bring their budgets in. Present a budget based on
what does happen not what might happen.
Chairman Keller said that guidance was given to utilize savings from this year, .5
mill increase with additional utilization of reserves if necessary but in doing so continue
to make priority the Board’s initiatives. IS initiatives will increase efficiencies, public
safety is paramount, continue to support the nursing home and 911, building security
and ongoing maintenance of county facilities. He is pleased they brought this to the
Board in these confines. This is a budget that the Board can take action on and put on
the counter.
Commissioner Ziobrowski said he is pleased that bringing in the budget with only
a .5 mill increase. He has looked at other Counties in the area that are increasing by a
lot more. We are to increase the General Fund by 2% at the same time the
Commonwealth is decreasing us by a lot higher.
Commissioner Thomas would like to keep an eye on this year and in the future
the trend of 911 funding. Need to give direction to the legislators to increase funding
streams, every year its less revenue but more costs. Nursing home is costing a lot more
revenue this year because we take more of the poorer folks on medical assistance and
that doesn’t pay the bills. Need to come up with means to balance budget without
compromising their care.
Chairman Keller informed everyone in attendance that this is a preliminary
budget and the Board is not voting to adopt the budget. There will be ample time for the
public to ask questions. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to place the 2013 preliminary budget on the counter
along with on the County’s website with final approval on December 27, 2012.
After a few questions from the press in attendance Chairman Keller opened the
floor for the public to provide any comments or questions.
Ken Jones questioned the numbers on the reserve line from last week compared
to this week. Chairman Keller responded will look at and get back to him next week.
Sheri Morgan asked if this budget shows the effects of removing the forty-seven
staff from MH/ID/EI. Chairman Keller responded it is budget neutral so there is no
impact on the budget.
Ms. Burkholder asked about the Medicaid issue at the Nursing Home. She
mentioned that the Board should get with the legislators to approach Governor Corbett
to not accept the exchange with Obama Care.
Continued on page 4
Michelle Jansen asked for more information on the Blighted Property Review
Committee that was just established. Chairman Keller responded that he will talk with
her after the meeting.
Allen Piper said that with Franklin County crime increasing at a high rate why
can’t the Board put up signs at various places in Franklin County that if “do the crime, do
the time”. He asked why enforcement is not enforced and little is being done about
crime except for asking for more people. He would like to take the three board members
around the county where he wants to go, so they can meet people asking why their
taxes are going up and why crime is going up. He said it’s not proper to have any tax
increase at this time. He said with cuts from other government agencies, he hates to
predict what is going to happen the way this County is spending money during their
tenure. Chairman Keller responded that for someone that has been attending the Board
meetings for the last five years that says we don’t do anything to do away with crime,
they have not been listening to what the Board is doing. With initiatives at the Jail, Day
Reporting Center, helping law enforcement and Magisterial District Judges, Drug &
Alcohol treatment programs, helping people get out of cycle of crime, helping kids get
out of bad family situations so they have fighting chance in life. It’s disappointing to hear
someone with Mr. Piper’s intellect and his education to berate them about crime when
he has sat in meetings for the last five years.
Kim Wertz wanted to comment about Mr. Piper’s comment about crime, the main
reason crime is increasing in the County is the overall economy and migration of drugs
and other vices from Harrisburg and Carlisle and coming to Chambersburg. It’s hard for
a community to combat rising crime if police departments and Sheriff Department don’t
have the manpower. She said they need more officers on the street. Is there any room
in the budget to hire five to ten more sheriff deputies and she knows the Board doesn’t
have the say so in other municipalities to increase their sources.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:12 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS