HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-20 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, February 20, 2014, with the
following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G.
Ziobrowski. The Board attended a 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.
Chairman Keller asked to include Chairman's time prior to public comment to
address questions from a previous meeting. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the amended
agenda.
Chairman Keller recognized Mayor Starliper from Waynesboro and thanked him
for his service. Chairman Keller continued that on January 2nd the Board received
questions from Mr. Piper during public comment. Mr. Piper asked the following
questions: status of jail population; current use of old jail and jail annex buildings on
Franklin Farm Lane; why are they drawing money from the County's reserve fund? The
Chairman responded that the average jail population for the month of December was
433. The building of the former Prison is not in use however the DUI school is held in a
trailer on the property and the Prison Annex is used for an archives building and county
storage. He said aside from the sale of the nursing home, use of facilities on Franklin
Farms has not changed. In answer to the question on the reserve fund the reserves are
derived from general fund tax in support of general fund operations. The County uses a
small percent to balance the budget as the reserves are tax dollars and this helps keep
low taxes. The County will maintain a reserve balance to sustain operations for a
minimum of 90 days in accordance with general accounting standards. Chairman
Keller said most revenue from the sale of nursing home was set aside for capital
improvements. The alternative would be to raise taxes to pay for these capital
improvements.
Allen Piper provided public comment related to an audit done by Carol Fix Diller
that he read in the Public Opinion concerning the Tax Office. He asked the following
questions: Has there been any repercussions; are the staff paying a penalty or being
reprimanded; is this going to cost the county any money with litigation feels; where does
this audit stand? Mr. Piper said he will call Carol Diller or meet with her to discuss this
audit. Mr. Piper asked if the County runs the library system. Chairman Keller responded
they are controlled by its own board of directors who is headed up by an executive
director paid by the library system.
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 February 11, 2014 and February 13, 2014
meetings.
The Board reviewed Commissioners matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Use of Digital Cameras in
the County Courthouse Policy#106.00 to provide a clear understanding of who can use
digital cameras for genealogical research in the Franklin County Courthouse and what
documents can be photographed.
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The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the service agreement
between the County of Franklin and Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC., for the
preparation the final Medicare and Medicaid cost reports for Falling Spring Nursing &
Rehabilitation Center at a cost of$7,150.00.
The Board reviewed Grants matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from Motorola
Solutions Inc. — Compros for the purchase of eight radios and related supplies for the
Sheriff's Department for use at the Security Guard Stations throughout the County. This
is a one-time purchase at a cost of$25,875.20, 50% will be paid through the Franklin
County Security Technology Grant.
The Board reviewed additional Grants matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the Subgrant Award notice from PA Commission on Crime and
Delinquency notifying the County of a grant award from the Franklin County CJAB
Initiatives Grant for a grant amount of$50,000.00 for the period of January 1, 2014
through December 31, 2014. The Board approved this grant application on September
26, 2013.
The Board reviewed Recorder of Deeds matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Contract
between the County of Franklin and Richard K. Hoskinson, Esquire to provide contracted
attorney services at a cost of$2,351.00 per year for the period of January 1, 2014
through December 31, 2014.
The Board reviewed Register of Wills matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Contract
between the County of Franklin and Richard K. Hoskinson, Esquire to provide
contracted attorney services at a cost of$2,351.00 per year for the period of January 1,
2014 through December 31, 2014.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2013 expense
and revenue budget performance through December 2013. Ms. Beckner advised these
are preliminary numbers due to still working through cutoffs and requirements through
end of year. Most departments are under budget except for a few where most variances
relate to one-time expenses. She said general fund expenses are at 94.6 % of
budgeted expenses. Ms. Beckner reported that revenue and tax collections revenues
are consistent when compared to budget as well as prior year performance. Ms.
Beckner said revenues are consistent through December and property taxes are at
97.8% of billing through December which is slightly higher than last year and better than
the 5 year average of 97.1%. She reported that the books are still open and still have
some adjustments to be made.
John Frey and Greg McClanahan from Public Financial Management, Inc. (PFM)
presented information to the Board on refinancing bonds. Mr. Frey explained the 2013
bond refinancing that was done on September 24th to lock in savings. The bonds
received a good demand in the market and resulted in 1 million in net savings to the
county by lowering the county's debt service. He said that the County still has $18.2M
from the 2004 bond that is able to be refinanced with a call date of October 1, 2014. Mr.
Frey provided two options. Option #1 is to do all the $18M at one time with a savings of
$737,000 net and includes all fees of transaction and costs. This option would be to
have sale date in mid-April. Option #2 is to do in two different pieces with potential
savings of$1.2M with first sale date in mid-April and second sale date in early July. Mr.
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Frey said the only benefit of Option #1 is to lock in interest rates but downside is savings
will be lower by $100,000 and it reduces flexibility to the county with having an eight year
call. He said by doing Option #2, the County will have more savings and more flexibility
down the road for additional savings. PFM is recommending the County do Option #2.
The Board is in favor of moving forward but will have further discussion at next
Tuesday's Commissioners meeting so that County staff can review further and provide
their recommendations to the Board.
Mary Beth Shank, County Solicitor met with the Board to consider an amendment
of the Asset Purchase Agreement and Bill of Sale from the County of Franklin to
MidAtlantic to provide for transfer of Medicare and Medicaid agreements. On a motion
by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the
second amendment to asset purchase agreement to state that Medicare and Medicaid
Provider agreements are included from the Purchased Assets. On a motion by Robert
L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the an Amended
and Restated Bill of Sale to make clear that Medicare and Medicaid Provider
agreements are transferred to Falling Spring Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, L.P.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS