HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-18 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, April 18, 2013, with the
following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G.
Ziobrowski. The Board attended the Prison Board meeting. 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.
Commissioner Thomas asked everyone to remember the disaster at West Texas
last night. He said it is not known yet how many are missing and first responders were
involved also.
Chairman Keller asked to include Chairman’s time to address a question from
Mr. Piper a few weeks ago. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda.
Chairman Keller wanted to respond to Mr. Piper’s question from a couple weeks
ago, regarding savings from the County’s report. It was suggested it was 1M savings
but anticipating 1.5M in savings beginning in fourth quarter of last year. He said the
Board decided that the savings would be rolled over into this year’s budget to balance
the budget.
Allen Piper provided public comment and echoes what Mr. Thomas said about
tragedies that have happened throughout the Country but the American people are
strong people. He said we join together as a group when there is a national disaster
even Republicans and Democrats come together. Mr. Piper mentioned Margaret
Thatcher and how she was a great lady and there are many women of strength serving
everywhere. He said to keep her and her family in our prayers as well as others that
have had serious things happen in this country. He thanked Commissioner Thomas for
bringing it up.
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 April 9, 2013 and April 11, 2013 meetings.
Courts matters.
The Board reviewed On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
uote from Stenograph
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the q
for software support of the Court reporters’ stenographic machines for the period of May
3, 2013 through May 2, 2014 for a total of $2,870.00.
Election matters.
The Board reviewed On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
agreement between the
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the
County of Franklin and Zody’s Moving & Storage, Inc. for the delivery and pickup of
election equipment and supplies bid awarded by the Board of Commissioners on March
5, 2013 for a bid amount of $69.30 for fuel surcharge, $136.50 per hour for two men
and a truck and $136.50 for 1 hour of travel time to the actual start/stop time, per
unit/per day for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Fiscal matters.
The Board reviewed On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
2013 Supplemental
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the
Appropriation in the amount of $3,991.00 to accommodate purchase of radiation meters
funded by 2011/2012 Act 147 grant but the equipment was not received until 2013.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed additional Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 2013 Supplemental
Appropriation to request additional appropriation to accommodate costs of the FSNRC
boiler project in the amount of $50,000.00.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Letter of Agreement
between the County of Franklin and HayGroup, Inc. to provide actuarial services in
connection with the postretirement benefit plan for 2013 valuation report and the 2014
updated report at a total cost of $7,500.00.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the maintenance quote from ESRI to provide annual maintenance of
the software used for the County’s Geographic Information System (GIS) at a cost of
$11,900.00 for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. This software is
necessary to conduct current GIS practices and for additional GIS implementation
currently in process.
The Board reviewed Transportation matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the resolution for updating
DOT grant information, including organization staff names involved with securing,
processing, and overseeing the grant.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Newell Tereska &
Mackay Engineering notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection Permit application being applied by PennDOT District 8-0 for culvert
replacement over UNT to Muddy Run on property located in Antrim Township.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Shelly & Witter, Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Permit
application being applied by J. Edward Beck for twenty lot subdivision for single family
dwellings on property located in Mercersburg.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Chambersburg Hospital
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Operating
Renewal Permit for Air quality program being applied for three boilers and five
emergency generators on property located in the Borough of Chambersburg.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Curfman & Zullinger
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES
Permit application being applied by Clinton Huntsman for a seasonal sawmill operation
on property located in Fannett Township.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to discuss the following
items: Review of 2013 expense and revenue budget performance through February.
Ms. Beckner advised most departments are under budget except for a few where she
mentioned their variances from the report. She said general fund expenses are at 15%
of budgeted expenses through February and revenue are consistent when compared to
the overall budget at 4% collected of general fund revenue.
Continued on page 3
Ms. Beckner provided a presentation on the General Fund Budget Performance
for 2012. She said the final revised budget for 2012 provided for $40,975,000 in
revenue and $43,005,000 in expenditures, for a budgeted deficit of $2,030,000. The
County budgeted to use another $4,100,000 toward the capital projects and equipment
replacement, making our overall budgeted use of reserves at $6,130,000. The actual
general fund performance, based on currently available figures, indicates that revenues
fell short of budget by $486,000, coming to $40,489,000. By comparison, General Fund
revenues for 2011 were $40,717,000, $228,000 higher than 2012. That amounts to a
.6% reduction in revenue from 2011 to 2012.
Ms. Beckner said the County is constantly seeking revenue from other sources to
support County operations so that the taxpayer is the payer of last resort. For 2012,
outside sources provided over 25% of general fund revenue. Ms. Beckner said the
primary reason for revenue shortfall was the Jail bed leasing which was approximately
$520,000 short of budget but it was offset by increases in charge revenue in the Register
& Recorders, Clerk of Courts and MDJ offices. She said property taxes make up the
majority of revenues of the General Fund. Charges for services, at 16.3% are the
second largest source of revenue. State and Federal grants contributed almost $2MM or
5.3% to our general fund operations in 2012. Ms. Beckner explained the expenditures
and specific operational areas that contributed to the surplus. Commissioner Thomas
said this was what was anticipated and good work on the management team and her
staff to keep the numbers straight. Commissioner Thomas also thanked the Legislators
in Harrisburg for listening and helping the County. He said they have responded and he
appreciates that. John Hart, County Administrator said this is a team effort and when
expenses are presented, Ms. Beckner and her staff do a good job vetting it before it
comes to him. Everyone cooperates and maximizes the dollars they have.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:14 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS