HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-13 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, October 13, 2015, 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 G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of the October 6, 2015 and October 8, 2015 meetings were
reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, October 15, 2015.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Stacy Rowe, Human
Services Fiscal Manager, and Steve Nevada, MH/ID/EI Administrator, were present to
explain board action item 6, the report to Department of Human Services for the Human
Services Block Grant revenue and expenditures. Ms. Rowe explained this report is
summarizing the total expenditures within the block grant for fiscal years 2014/2015.
She explained further that this report highlights how the departments spent the $35,000
of carry over funds for 2014/2015 and $162,851 will be carried over into 2015/2016
unless it is expended in the remainder of this fiscal year. The following item was
approved today while the remaining items will be approved Thursday, October 15, 2015.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the report to PA Department of
Public Welfare, Bureau of Financial Operations, for FY14/15 County Human Services
Block Grant showing total revenue and expenditures.
Phil Tarquino, Planning Director, and Steve Nevada, MH/ID/EI Administrator,
were present to explain a request from Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID) to
use funds from the Housing Trust Fund for Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Mental Health Supportive Housing Apartments. Mr. Tarquino explained the Planning
Department received a request from MH/ID requesting an amount of$16,012.00 to be
used for matching funds for a Housing and Urban Development grant. He said we have
provided Housing Trust funds in the past as a match for this same grant. Mr. Nevada
explained that we have to provide a certain percentage match to continue to receive the
HUD grant to help fund twenty apartments for persons diagnosed with chronic illness
and mental health diagnosis. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert
L. Thomas; unanimously approved to authorize the expenditure of Housing Trust Fund
program funds to be used for matching funds for the Housing and Urban Development
Grant.
Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, presented the 2016 health insurance
plan changes to the Board. Ms. Bloyer explained the change is to move to Highmark
Blue Shield from Capital Blue Cross. She explained the reasons are the following:
implementation performance guarantee; wellness credits for length of contract; user-
friendly website; they are a blues network; implementation team will be on site for
employee educational sessions; implementation team will come back and offer
additional help or sessions for employees; no fees for Health Spending Accounts; and
one stop shop for flexible spending accounts and dependent care accounts. She
explained another benefit is that employees will save money on preventative
medications. Ms. Bloyer said that her and Jessica Kuhns, Benefit Specialist, have spent
many hours researching vendors and their recommendation is to move to Highmark Blue
Shield. Commissioner Ziobrowski said in government we tend to do things the same
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way because we don't like change, but this sounds like a win/win and staff did a good
job. Commissioner Thomas said he is looking forward to the interactive website Ms.
Bloyer described as being very user friendly which is a big deal. Commissioner Thomas
asked what the process will be to turn the H.S.A. accounts over to a new vender. Ms.
Bloyer explained employees will have to complete paperwork to move the accounts.
She said if employees do what they are supposed to do, which will be explained during
open enrollment sessions, everything will be done behind the scenes and it should be
seamless. Chairman Keller said that the County has been with Capital Blue Cross for a
long time but Ms. Bloyer has done her homework and he is happy that we are not going
to see an increase in costs going into 2016. He continued that there will be opportunities
for employees to save also with the preventative prescription plan. Chairman Keller said
he is ok with hearing a motion to authorize staff to move forward with an agreement that
will be signed at a later date. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he would like to wait to
make a final decision in the near future. Chairman Keller said the Board will make a
motion on Thursday and will put this back on the agenda. Ms. Bloyer asked if she could
notify employees of possible changes today and the Board agreed.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS