HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-21 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2017
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, November 21, 2017, 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.
Kim Wertz, from Chambersburg, provided public comment. She wanted to bring
two concerns to the Commissioners. The first concern is the video gaming terminals
that was passed. She is opposed to these due to children having access to them and
the possible increase in gambling addictions. Another concern she expressed is radar
guns that Congress is trying to get passed. If the Governor signs it into law that
municipalities can get radar guns, would the County help them in the purchase price?
She is in favor of the radar guns.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved the minutes of the November 14, 2017 and November 16, 2017
meetings.
The Board reviewed Aging Office matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the Charitable Organization Registration Statement to Bureau of Charitable
Organizations for Franklin County Area Agency on Aging to continue to be registered as
a charitable organization. Renewal application fee is $175.00.
The Board reviewed Children and Youth matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the list of
Subsidized Adoption Assistance Agreements on behalf of the Franklin County Children
and Youth Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive
children, for the period of July 2017 through September 30, 2017. Contract listing is
maintained for proper accounting of all contracts.
In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Delgrande and
Associates, LLC. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NPDES Part 2 renewal General Permit application being applied by
Letterkenny Township Municipal Authority for the Hillview Wastewater Treatment Plant
located in Letterkenny Township.
In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Falling Spring
Environmental Services, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection NPDES renewal General Permit application being applied by
Valley View Manor Mobile Home Park for their wastewater treatment facility located in
Antrim Township.
In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, R. Lee Royer &
Associates notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NPDES General Permit application being applied by Abeck Enterprises, LLC
for industrial construction located in Washington Township.
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Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2018 proposed
budget which if approved by the board will be on public display for 20 days. She
explained the counter copy includes details for revenues and expenses for all
operations. This will also be available on the county's website and will include a "Budget
in Brief" which is a summary of the budget that is prepared by staff. Ms. Beckner
highlighted the following key items: The Board of Commissioners remains committed to
improving services, planning for the future, and streamlining government, while living
within our means, and to balancing their commitment to residents' quality of life and the
role of county government with the resources available. The 2018 budget reflects
funding to accomplish those objectives. Their priorities are provided for and include:
public safety and security; quality of life programs such as farmland preservation and
tourism and quality of life enhancement grants; maintaining services that support county
citizens through funding existing and new programs for human services and veterans;
streamlining government and delivery of our services; and, attracting and retaining a
skilled, dedicated workforce. Ms. Beckner said the 2018 budget provides resources for:
implementation of more evidence-based practices; maintaining the infrastructure and
virtual environment of our information technology systems and security; expanding our
use of electronic document management; and exploring new avenues for delivering
human services and administering justice. Ms. Beckner explained the "all funds and
services" portion of the budget, which shows the general operating millage at 25, as well
as debt service millage at 2.6, is the same as in 2017. At the board's direction, there is
no tax increase in this budget. The total expenditures for All Operations and All
Services equal $106.9 million, a decrease of$1.7 million (1.6%) from revised 2017. The
total revenue is budgeted at$106.4 million, which is relatively flat from 2017, reflecting a
decrease of$.4 million or .4%. The budget includes $1.2 million from the County's
capital projects fund to continue facility planning. Ms. Beckner explained that the
general fund pays for court and magisterial district judge operations, the county jail, the
day reporting center, elected officials offices, tax services, elections and voter
registration, administration and planning offices, veterans' affairs, the public defender,
and property management. It also provides financial support to outside agencies, as well
as human services programs, the 911 center and HazMat operations, and Domestic
Relations. The total general fund budget is $49,434,400. Our revised operating budget
for 2017 is $49,903,700. This reflects a decrease in our general fund budget overall of
0.9% amounting to $469,300 from 2017. General Fund (GF) revenues total
$46,417,300. The revised 2017 budget shows revenues of$47,208,600. That reflects a
decrease of$791,300, or 1.7%. Ms. Beckner said the 2018 proposed budget keeps
property taxes at the same level as 2017. The budget indicates tax revenues of
$36,135,600. The overall value of a mill of taxes gained 0.4% during 2017, generating
an additional $5,500 for operating costs. For 2018, one mill contributes $1,457,600.
Interest earnings are at$77,100, an increase of$27,000 from 2017. She said the
intergovernmental revenues for Federal and State are at$2,023,800 million, 4.4% of
revenue, compared with 5.9% last year. The decrease in federal revenue for grants for
criminal justice initiatives such as the residential treatment grant at the jail, are partially
offset by grants for Intensive Reentry and Pre-Trial Drug and Alcohol Diversion. In
addition, funding for Juvenile Probation through Title IV-E administration has decreased
from over $74,000 received in 2014 to a budget for 2018 of$1,100. A few state and
federally funded grants related to criminal justice end in 2017 and we're awaiting notice
of future award. Ms. Beckner explained that over the past couple of years we have seen
a decrease in state revenue due to the state not funding court operations or district
attorney wages as required. The total amount of this lost revenue is over $245,000.
Charges for Services are at$7.2 million (15.6% of GF budget, compared with 15.9% for
2017 revised.) She explained further that increases in collections are indicated in the
Recorder of Deeds and Prothonotary's offices, hotel tax administration, sale of GIS data,
and adult probation fees for DUI school and SCRAM monitoring which helps to offset the
loss of revenue from leasing of jail beds ($340,000). The overall net reduction fee
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revenue is over $265,000 (3.5%). Contributions and other revenues are at $951,700
which is 2.1% of general fund revenue, 2017 was the same at 2.1%. This includes rents
for various county buildings and land, municipal contributions for the drug task force,
school district contributions for providing juvenile probation officers in the schools and
other miscellaneous revenues. Ms. Beckner explained that wages and benefits total $27
million, which makes up 54.7% of the general fund budget, compared with $26.8 million
(53.6%) for the 2017 revised budget. The overall increase related to wages is 3.1% and
total benefit costs decreased 5.2%. Health care costs remained flat as the county
successfully negotiated benefit rates for 2018. In addition, the county's required
contribution to the county pension plan is decreased for 2018, with $363,500 of the
savings benefitting the General Fund. Ms. Beckner explained that operating costs are at
$15,656,200 which reflects a 4.8% reduction from 2017 revised budget. Overall,
operating costs account for 31.7% of total expenses for 2018, compared with 33.0% for
2017 revised budget. She said that many departments' operating budgets are proposed
at a level consistent with actual spending over the past 3 years. Contributing to the
decrease is a reduction in costs to operate the day reporting center ($200,000) as well
as pass-through funds for several grants, offset by increases related to the growth in the
jail population. Total jail operations, excluding capital are budgeted to cost the general
fund $13.8 million for 2018, an increase of$0.4 million (2.8%) from the 2017 revised
budget and $1.2 million (9.9%) from the 2017 original budget. The most significant areas
of increase are in personnel costs, outside county housing, inmate medical costs, and
costs to transport inmates. Ms. Beckner explained the transfers to support other county
operations in the amount of$4,455,600 which makes up 9.0% of total general fund
budget, compared to 9.2% for 2017. The following is more information on transfers:
Emergency Services, including the 911 Center and HazMat ($790,500, 1.6% of GF). The
change in 911 funding, effective with Act 12 of 2015 has resulted in additional revenue to
offset the costs of operating the county's 911 center; Domestic Relations is $608,200
(1.2% of GF budget); Human Service Programs is $2,881,100 (5.8% of GF); Agriculture
Preservation $150,000 for purchase of agricultural easements; and CDBG
Administration - $25,800, resulting from a decrease in the overall size of the program
and corresponding administration fees. The board remains committed to the program
and continues to subsidize the administration of it for 2018. Ms. Beckner said that
consistent with the county's practice in prior years, proposed expansions for personnel,
capital and new projects are budgeted to a contingency account. This allows for
additional review prior to taking action and incurring expense. Contingency includes
funds for personnel expansion, projects, computers, furniture and minor equipment,
other capital purchases and personnel expansion where needed. General Fund
contingency for 2018 amounts to 5.8% of the expenditure budget and totals $1.7 million.
Ms. Beckner said the net effect shows that without adding additional revenue, expenses
exceed revenues by $3.0 million. Weeks ago we projected that the General Fund would
perform better than the 2017 budget and we are still on track. The commissioners tasked
us with proposing a 2018 budget that used that savings and a minimal amount of
additional reserves. In accordance with the guidance from the board, the 2018 proposed
budget provides funding for the Board's priorities and maintains reserves at
recommended levels. Ms. Beckner explained that with this budget, our General Fund
reserves at the end of 2018 are expected to be $9.7 million. That equates to 66 days of
General Fund expenses, meeting the recommendation of our auditors and GFOA best
practices. The ability to maintain reserves at that level has helped the county be able
not only to carry our General Fund into each year without borrowing money, but also to
continue services uninterrupted when the state doesn't pass a timely budget. When that
has happened, we were able to maintain operations, continue serving our clients, keep
our workforce employed, and pay our vendors and providers. A healthy fund balance
has also contributed to our ability to maintain our AA bond rating, making the market
more favorable for the county to refinance existing debt or pursue future capital projects.
Ms. Beckner explained the following ending results: no tax increase; slightly decreased
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GF revenues; tightened expense budgets where possible, but also provided for
operations which require additional funding; allowed for a pay increase to employees;
provided for 2018 capital and personnel expansion as necessary; provided funds for
facility and equipment needs and special projects; and; maintained a General Fund
reserve balance that meets recommended levels and provides cash flow for challenging
times. Ms. Beckner explained the tax dollar breakdown from the budget-in-brief that
shows how the property tax dollars are collected and distributed to various types of
operations of the county. Requiring the most tax dollars to operate is what's known as
"the 3 C's": courts, crimes, and corrections. For every tax dollar collected, 82 cents goes
to support the 3 Cs. For 2017, it was 78 cents.
John Hart, Chief Clerk, said that this budget is what we strive for, no tax
increase, better technology and maintaining good customer service. With C&Y's
paperless iniative the thought is to free up and provide more case management time to
work with clients. This budget continues with maintaining quality of life, money in budget
for agricultural preservation,tourism grants, and human services programs. He said
Federal and State funds have slowly declined. He said the Fiscal crew has done an
excellent job, with no tax increase, and holding the line in three years with historic
spending. He has to complement all the employees and the elected officials with
maintaining conservative spending.
Carrie Gray, County Administrator added what Mr. Hart said. Staff is looking at
ways to reduce the 82 cents of 2018 tax dollar in Courts, Crime and Corrections. There
are efforts to make electronic records more available to the public, and case
management efficiencies similar to enhancements in C&Y. We are also looking at
Unified Case Management through CCAP to review data and dig down into the primary
cost drivers to identify solutions. There is limited ability to do this with our current
technology. The Warden provided some ways to increase public safety at the jail while
saving staff time. We are actively looking at ways to reduce that 82 cents. Ms. Gray
continued that staff is looking at having folks receive treatment instead of jail time, if
eligible, and looking at reducing costs to incarcerate by reducing jail time.
Chairman Keller said that his initial reaction is that, having just come back from
CCAP conference and hearing what is going on at other counties his main impression is
that he would stack our people up against anyone else in the Commonwealth. We are
blessed to have quality people working for the county. The Board gave Ms. Beckner
their high level guidance to come back with a budget in a fiscally responsible manner.
The budget is still maintaining a level of reserves that we strive to maintain because
never know what the future holds. He is very pleased with what has been presented.
He also is happy that there is no tax increase and limited reserves being used but he is
also concerned about the jail population. We are seeing some evidence that the opioid
epidemic is driving the jail population but some things we are doing is starting to bear
fruit which include the pretrial programs, getting treatment at the right time and right
amounts to folks that most need them. This is key to this struggle. We are making
progress and he is hopeful this will continue and is hoping to see jail pop numbers come
down. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that he had nothing to add.
Commissioner Thomas said that he concurs with the comment that we continue
to do our best to reduce the 82 cents per dollar for criminal justice because that is going
to break our backs. He said there was much discussion at CCAP this week about
diversion programs and success of the jail diversion programs that low risk offenders are
not benefiting at all by being put in jail. Re-arrest rates are very low. He thinks they are
making progress but need to keep on keeping on. The opioid crisis is an ongoing crisis.
He hopes that we can see more diversion specialists in the community like what we
currently have in Greencastle and Washington Township. He said this is critical.
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Ms. Gray said that she wanted to compliment the board on their vision with
health care costs which has resumed in a flat or no increase on health care costs
whereas there are other jurisdictions that have a 30% increase. She thanked the Board.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved the proposed budget to be placed on the counter. Chairman
Keller announced that the final approval for the budget is scheduled for December 12,
2017.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 PM with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS