HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-16 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, April 16, 2013, 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.
Chairman Keller asked to include the addition of general discussion prior to
solicitor time to discuss prevailing wage. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of April 9, 2013 and April 11, 2013 meetings were reviewed. These
will be approved Thursday, April 18, 2013.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller
asked John Hart, County Administrator to clarify further the two supplemental
appropriations on the list for action. Mr. Hart explained that the Haz Mat appropriation
is from Act 147 which is a grant that allows us to buy haz mat equipment. He said we
purchased the equipment in 2012 than the grant just came through so now the grant is
being appropriated back into the General Fund. Mr. Hart explained the appropriation for
the boiler project that had recovery zone bonds to do this project and when bids came in
Board decided to award just the base bid. There was an appropriation previously for
$25,000-30,000. This appropriation is from Fund 40 which is put aside for these types of
things. The following items were approved today and the remainder items will be
approved Thursday, April 18, 2013.
The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the Subsidized
Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth
Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children
with special needs for payment in the amount of $31.00 a day for the period of April 26,
2013 through January 30, 2018, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $ -0- to
cover non-recurring adoption expenses.
Chairman Keller wanted to highlight the resolution to express the Board’s support
for efforts to ensure that municipal bonds remain tax exempt. He said there is a move in
the legislature to make these bonds taxable. There is support from CCAP and NACO to
keep these bonds exempt and to get the County’s to support also. Thought is if
municipal bonds are no longer tax exempt, the cost of doing business for all
municipalities will increase because costs will get higher. This will keep necessary
repairs from being made. This resolution has his full support and asked the Board to
express their views. Commissioner Thomas said this was brought to his attention from
NACO who spoke at CCAP Board of Directors meeting. One point that was made was
we already have things that drive our costs and make everything higher because of
federal and state rules. By having these bonds exempt, this allows our costs to be
reduced a little but now they want to get that money too. He said in government have to
spend a lot of money to get the best price. Commissioner Thomas said it’s a no brainer
that needs to advocate for one thing that allows our cost to be a little less. Chairman
Keller asked to approve the resolution today.
Continued on page 2
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved Resolution 2013-04 to support efforts to maintain the tax-exempt
status of municipal bonds.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to appoint Robert G. Ziobrowski as the Commissioner representative to the
Franklin County Conservation District Board of Directors for a term through December
31, 2013.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to appoint Jackie Mowen to the Franklin County Industrial
Development Authority Board for a term of April 5, 2013 through April 4, 2015. This
position was advertised in the Public Opinion on March 3, 2013.
Chairman Keller said there is legislation in the General Assembly of PA to amend
the prevailing wage. CCAP has reached out to us to consider weighing in on the issue.
He said they have all spoken favorably trying to update prevailing wage law
requirements. In general the bottom line is prevailing wage causes governments to pay
more for public works projects than is necessary. He is in favor of the legislation being
proposed. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that he has been opposed to the Prevailing
Wage law in its present form since serving on the school board in 1987. Prevailing Wage
is a misnomer - the wage rate used is not the most common (or prevailing) wage in an
area - it is a union rate. It is often 150% or more of what non-union skilled tradesmen
make in this area. In suburban Philadelphia, the Prevailing Wage rate is often similar to
the actual wage rate because the cost of living is higher. In some trade categories, the
Prevailing Wage rate is higher in Franklin County than in Montgomery County, even
though the cost of living is less here. Prevailing Wage rates add 15-20% to the cost of
government projects, which increases taxes and allows fewer projects to be completed.
In addition, local contractors often do not bid local government jobs because Prevailing
Wage law makes more paperwork and causes disparities in pay for their employees. So
the net result is the workers on Franklin County Prevailing Wage projects are often from
other places, so Prevailing Wage laws don't benefit county workers. At the very least, the
threshold for Prevailing Wage to be applied should be raised to reflect inflation since the
law was passed. Commissioner Thomas said prevailing wage not only robs school
districts, townships and counties but it robs tax payers because it makes projects costs
more. It’s been a part of public debate for many years. He often sees projects that can
be done by local workers and local companies choose not to bid or can’t bid. He said
prevailing wage applies to all of our bridge projects and this clearly increases costs to
repair our bridges. Chairman Keller said there is opportunity for compromise but would
be an opportunity for putting school districts and counties in a better position.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:00 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review pending litigation of Chambersburg Country Club Tax Appeal matters.
The Board reconvened into regular session at 10:17 a.m.
Continued on page 3
Mary Beth Shank, Solicitor asked approval to settle the Assessment Appeal with
Chambersburg Country Club Docket #2011-5097. She said this is for Parcels Nos. 09-
0C18-064, 09-0C18-063A, 09-0C13-023 and 09-0C13-025. This involves the Clubhouse
and some extra minor parcels as part of the country club with an original assessment of
$428,930 which equates to a fair market value of $3.274 million. Settlement is for fair
market value of 1.65 million in 2012 and 2013 which creates an assessment of 216,150
in 2012 and 234,300 for 2013. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by
Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to authorize Mary Beth Shank to enter into an
agreement with Chambersburg Country Club and Chambersburg School District. The
County will refund Chambersburg Country Club in the amount of $5,521.65 for 2012 and
$5,196.62 for 2013.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS