HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-18 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 2018
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, October 18, 2018, 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 L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
Commissioner Thomas asked for more information on board action item #8,
agreement with Morefield and CenturyLink. Kurt Hoffeditz, CIO, explained there are
multiple connections for the phone lines between the Jail on Opportunity Avenue and
Franklin Farm Lane, two of which are wireless and not as reliable as fiber. This quote
will relocate the phone lines to the data center in Emergency Services and they will be
connected to via fiber. It will be a centralized phone service for that area.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved the minutes of the October 9, 2018 and October 11, 2018
meeting.
The Board reviewed Aging Office matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the
County of Franklin and Robert Moore, to provide services as a back-up coordinator to the
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APPRISE Program for the annual open enrollment session that runs from October 15 to
December 7, 2018 at a maximum cost of $2,500.00 for the period of October 15, 2018
through December 7, 2018.
The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L.
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Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 4 quarter report
to Pennsylvania Department of Human Services showing revenue and expenditures of Act
148 funding for April 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. The total amount of the report is
$2,936,004.00 for 2017/2018 fiscal year.
The Board reviewed CJAB/Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert
L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman
of the Board to execute the Technical Assistance and Training Grant Request Form to
County Commissioners Association of PA to request a grant in the amount of $1,500.00 to
be used for a mental health first aid course. Funds will purchase manuals, tabletop flip chart
and markers, Franklin Together simulation fee and community speaker fees.
The Board reviewed Commissioners matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the contract between the County of Franklin and Penn State University to
conduct West Nile Virus surveillance and control as part of the Mosquito-Borne disease
control grant from PA Department of Environmental Protection. The amount of the contract
is $65,172.00 and is covered 100% by the grant, for the period of January 1, 2018 through
December 31, 2018.
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The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the proposal from
APEX Valuation Services to provide a real estate appraisal of an improved property in
Chambersburg at a cost of $2,800.00.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. Carrie Gray, County
Administrator, explained the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) represents a monumental final
step thanks to Bob Povlich, DES Planning Coordinator, and that there will be resolutions
approved from all municipalities in Franklin County to adopt the plan. John Thierwechter,
DES Director, explained that in May 2017 the Board approved a planning position and his
department needed a smart person to have the skill set to do that type of job so Bob Povlich
was hired to fill that position. He, along with in-house staff that have skills to do the job,
brought all the parties together. Mr. Povlich explained that he started looking at the large
HMP that requires involvement from all the municipalities, including public and private
entities all across the county. He received 100% participation from all municipalities and
allotted 6 months to get the plan approved by PEMA and FEMA. FEMA took a little longer
because of hurricanes. FEMA said that this is the first time they ever had only a minor
change to the plan. Mr. Povlich is hopeful that he will get all approvals by the end of the
year. He appreciates the help and thanked the whole team of emergency planning across
the county. Chairman Keller said Mr. Povlich was able to engage and keep the
municipalities engaged and that reflects well on him. When they discussed creating this
position, they realized the number of plans their office is responsible for and this one is the
mother of all plans. The process itself will be helpful going forward with updating all the
existing plans. Commissioner Thomas said this plan is a significant upgrade that is reflected
in the work. The thing that was compelling to him was he heard how municipalities rank
their risks very differently. The Board thanked Mr. Povlich for getting this done. On a
motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved
the Resolution 2018-09 to adopt the Franklin County 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the County of
Franklin and Franklin County Jail Ministries for chaplain services at the Franklin County Jail
at an amount of $25,000 for 2019. This service is provided by the United Churches of
Franklin County.
The Board reviewed Jail/ITS matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the quote from Morefield and CenturyLink to put a new primary rate
interface, aka PRI, in Letterkenny for the Jail to use for telephone communications at a cost
of $5,504.17 plus $596.25 per month. Currently the Jail uses a PRI located on Franklin
Farm Lane and occasionally due to power loss or network issues, this connection is broken
causing phone issues at the Jail. The proposal brings the PRI close to them with less
chance of network issues and power redundancy and backup.
The Board reviewed Tax Services matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from Southern
Computer Warehouse to purchase 3 desktop scanners for the Tax Assessment staff to begin
scanning documents to the CAMA program at a cost of $4,103.70.
The Board reviewed additional Tax Services matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from SSS
Printing to provide printing and mailing of 2019 homestead applications. Printing will cost
$2,662.50 and postage will cost $1,750.00 and will be billed separately. This cost is passed
on to the school districts.
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In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications Martin and Martin, Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES
permit application being applied by Whitetail Mountain Resort for discharges of stormwater
associated with construction of a 3,800 feet of ski trail on property located in Montgomery
Township.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, presented the 2019 preliminary budget to the
Board. Ms. Beckner informed the Board this budget is an all-request budget and
includes all requests submitted from every operation in the county. She said it is still
preliminary and in the early stages of the process but this is the opportunity for the Board
to see where we are right now. She reviewed and explained the revenues and expense
line items. Ms. Beckner said the total for all services and operations based on all
request is almost $148 million of which $9.7 million relates to the fiduciary-type funds.
Total revenues for all requests and all funds amount to $112.2 million. She continued
that a net use of reserves is indicated for county operations. Of the $39.7 million in
reserves requested, $24.7 million is bond proceeds being used for the building project.
There were a total of 22 full time positions and 5 part time positions requested in this
budget. She said general fund makes up 8 full-time and 4 part-time of the positions
requested. Costs of these positions including current benefit rates would total $1.1
million. Ms. Beckner explained the general fund 2018 year-end projected expenses and
revenue compared to 2019 requests. She explained the 2019 requested budget
includes health insurance, which is in the process of being finalized, and assumes a 7%
our actuary has estimated
areas of increase were in Human Services with an increase of $263,000 or 8.9% and
911 center increase relates to their capital requests. The 911 Center reflects a need for
almost $1.7 million of General Funds. There is projected to be no general fund county
share for 2018 due to our ability to use reserves on hand from when the funding stream
changed to the state. We expect to use almost all of the remaining reserves for 2018.
The county share needed in 2019 relates primarily to capital requests, including
hardware, software, computers, furniture, and some facility maintenance. Capital
requests amount to $5.5 million and include a security system upgrade at the jail,
computers, vehicles, software, furniture, building repairs and improvements, safety
equipment, election equipment, security equipment and technology and funding for new
projects. Ms. Beckner explained that we started 2018 with just over $14 million in
unrestricted reserves and that the recommended reserve balance based on 2018
projected actual spending is 60-90 days of general fund cash requirements which would
range from $7.8 million to $11.6 million. If we were to approve the budget as requested
and presented here today, the use of the reserves would take our GF reserve balance to
under $3.8 million (24 days expenses). Ms. Beckner said there is still a lot more work to
do but the team is already working with directors and they will tweak revenues and
expenses.
Chairman Keller asked for more information on the jail security system and Ms.
Gray explained that there are components of the cameras that need replaced around the
perimeter and controls on the doors, locks and sally port need repaired or replaced to
maintain a secure facility. Break and fix is an unknown but an audit of the entire
surveillance system will give us a clear picture of what is needed. The Jail has been on
lock down four times in 2018 because of failure and they use keys until they can get the
vendor to fix the situation. Once we get the audit completed we will have a better picture
scenario to do upgrades at 911, the jail and election equipment in the same year. He
would like to know the level of priority. His thoughts are to take a similar approach as
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they did in the 2018 budget no tax increase, rollover savings and make use of the
savings, fund 40, 41 and General Fund unrestricted reserves as to the same extent in
41 because they will become depleted.
Ms. Gray said the next step will be getting guidance and direction from the Board
next week. Once we are given direction Fiscal staff will go back to the departments and
ask them to prioritize their requests. Commissioner Thomas would like to know what the
911 enhancements would be and what happens if the system fails at 911. He also
a total solution. Ms. Gray said that Teresa and her staff have done a fantastic job and
everyone she sat down with to go over their budgets said the Fiscal department has
made the process more efficient and easier.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:44 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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David S. Keller, Chairman
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Robert L. Thomas
Robert G. Ziobrowski