HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-17 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, July 17, 2012, with the
following members present: David S. Keller 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 David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda.
Ken Jones provided public comment and said when signing contracts a contract
is a contract and there have been a lot of contracts that are up and down since signing
the original contracts for the construction project. He said when a contractor signs up to
do work they have the opportunity to see what is needed done and if they find something
extra then it’s their baby.
Sheri Morgan, Greencastle, provided public comment and said that MH/ID/EI
consumers believe that all three of the Commissioners have deep relationships with
people with disabilities and have their best interests in mind. She is concerned however
about the Olmstead decision and how this will affect the block grant process to allow the
County to fund services where people can remain in their community. She wants to
know what the Board is doing to make sure the County won’t be held liable, the State
has immunity but the County does not. She said it’s silly to think that no one is going to
challenge the block grant pilot program. Ms. Morgan would also like to know where the
County is at with the nonprofit issue and if there have been any meetings. Ms. Morgan
was on the County’s website and in 2010 budget it said there were only 8 grants and
most were for courts, crimes and corrections, she wants to know why the County has not
applied for any grants for Human Service programs.
The minutes of July 10, 2012 and July 12, 2012 meetings were reviewed. These
will be approved Thursday, July 19, 2012.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller
asked John Hart, Chief Clerk to explain Change Order #5 with Harley Miller . Mr. Hart
explained the property owner of the building requested to finish the walls to their
satisfaction and would like a natural finish. The mason is going to wash the wall down,
replace brick in the joyce pockets and then seal it. This work will be a deduct of $314.00
from the project. Chairman Keller asked Mr. Hart to provide more information on the RIP
and CJAB Initiatives grants. Mr. Hart responded that the RIP grant is for severe Drug &
Alcohol offenders that will be supervised in their community and this program is
evidenced based. The CJAB Initiatives grant is also funds a new process for people
applying for a public offender which enables the PD Office to check income levels and
their resources. The second portion of the grant is for the archive project to archive
court records, pay for equipment, scanning and digitizing a number of court records.
The following items were approved today and the remainder items will be approved
Thursday, July 19, 2012.
The Board reviewed Adult Probation matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Grant-In-Aid
Continuing Program to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for the State
Offender Supervision Fund Agreement services requesting an amount of $1,114,540.00
for fiscal year 2012-2013. This program is to help fund the Adult Probation Department.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Commissioners matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the letter of agreement
between the County of Franklin and William G. Bowen, Appraiser, to appraise one
commercial property in the Borough of Chambersburg with delivery of reports within 45
days after appraiser receives acceptance of these terms for a fee of $3,800.00.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to enter an executive session at 9:51 a.m. this date for the purpose to review
Personnel matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at 10:36 a.m.
Chairman Keller reviewed what was discussed in executive session, which is that
an employee in one of the human services departments was terminated recently
because of fraudulent billing. The former employee had been submitting time sheets for
work that was not performed. Staff brought the matter to the attention of the employee's
manager. Based on the result of a forensic audit, it was determined that a total of
$6,458 was fraudulently billed. A thorough review of department-wide billings found no
other evidence of fraud by any other employee. Additional quality assurance processes
and training have been initiated to ensure awareness of proper reporting requirements.
The Franklin County Controller, the Franklin County District Attorney, and the
Pennsylvania Attorney General were notified of the internal investigation. The Controller
is conducting an independent audit. The employee in question has appealed their
termination to the State Civil Service Commission. Chairman Keller commended staff
for discovering the fraudulent activity soon after it began, and for bringing it to the
attention of their manager. Chairman Keller also commended management for
conducting a thorough investigation.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS