HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-27 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, November 27, 2012, 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.
Jay Lightfoot from Chambersburg provided public comment and is appalled at
Mr. Thomas’s behavior. The other day there were two gentlemen here and
Commissioner Ziobrowski and Commissioner Keller came back to talk to them but
Commissioner Thomas did not. Any other time he comes back to chirp like a canary,
seems like he’s losing it here lately.
Sheri Morgan from Greencastle provided comment that it’s wonderful that the
Board is going to reappoint Dick Shoap and Sherri Goertz to the MH/ID Advisory Board.
She said they both know the ins and outs of the mental health system. Ms. Morgan also
wanted to make the Board aware that there’s a Leadership Academy that Community
Supports Program provides. All persons can use this service to get training on how to
become leaders. She has a list of people who have taken this training if they would like
someone to sit on these boards. She also asked where the Board advertises
commissions and boards? Chairman Keller responded that advertise in the Public
Opinion and on the County website but he will get an official answer to her by email.
James Wyrick provided public comment and asked if the Commissioners have
made a recommendation or decision on the nonprofit for Mental Health. He noticed on
the web link there was a nonprofit timeline listed but he was afraid he missed the
recommendation to the public. Mr. Wyrick also asked if the Commissioners have heard
about the UN Agenda 21 and would be interested on a statement from the Board on this.
Chairman Keller responded that the Board has not deliberated on the Advisory
Board’s nonprofit recommendation but is scheduled to discuss this on Tuesday,
December 4, 2012 at 9:45 AM.
The minutes of November 20, 2012 meetings were reviewed. These will be
approved Thursday, November 29, 2012.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller
wanted to clarify that the Coroner agreement at the cost of $1,300 is per incident basis.
The items will be approved Thursday, November 29, 2012.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin/Fulton County MH/ID Advisory
Board. Commissioner Thomas said On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by;
unanimously approved to appoint Dick Shoap and Sherry Goertz to serve term of
November, 2012 through November 2015.
Bernice Crouse, Executive Director of the Franklin County Library System, (FCLS) was
present to provide an update on library services, the current fiscal condition and to
present their budget to the Board. Ms. Crouse reported on the patron survey the library
system asked patrons to participate in and found out the patrons wanted more books in
all formats including paper and ebooks; they want more hours; increase in
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children’s programming, especially since the state cut key children’s programs in the last
couple years. Over the last five years there has been a continued rise in library usage
with an increase of almost 300,000 visitors. There was also a tripling of online services
usage in the last year. A lot of book stores have closed in this area, but even with the
online age, people are still counting on libraries to provide these services.
Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if more patrons are checking out more books. Ms.
Crouse responded they are checking out paper books and eBooks, but publishers have
them nailed down so that libraries can only provide so many electronic books and they
can be expensive. She reported that state cuts, have reduced their funding annually by
$268,663.35 plus the state has eliminated Family Literacy programs and Early Learning
partnership initiatives. In response to these cuts the library system was forced to make
their own cuts by doing the following: Reduce staff by more than 150 hours per week
across the County, thus reducing hours of public service; roll back pay for all staff
members whose hours were not cut; cut behind-the-scenes services, such as
memberships and fees for outsourced support tasks, cataloging, interlibrary loans, and
inter-library delivery of requested materials; and reduce the number of bookmobile trips.
If FCLS is unable to secure increased funding to maintain and/or increase the services
currently offered, FCLS will have to look to alternate methods to sustain as many
services as possible, including unwanted, but necessary reductions like the following:
Fewer branches of service to rural areas of Franklin County; elimination of Bookmobile
and Book Buggy outreach services; decrease in quantity of knowledgeable, professional
staff; even less new books and other items for loan; fewer programs for all age groups;
and further loss in hours of operation.
Ms. Crouse also wanted to report on the positive impacts and how the library
system has worked with an outside consultant to come up with the following five
strategies: Develop and implement a plan that defines and delivers the technology
needed by its patrons to enrich their lives and empowers employees to serve its patrons;
refocus resources and adult programming to respond to community needs, advancing
the Five PA Forward Literacies (basic, health, financial, civic and social, and
information), and enabling patrons to optimize the power of accessible information to
pursue their interests; develop a master facilities plan that supports community library
services of the future; develop, compensate, reward, and recognize its employees as it
builds a flexible team capable of meeting the evolving needs of the system (for improved
retention of overworked, underpaid staff members); implement a comprehensive,
coordinated, and pervasive development process that provides its libraries with the
funding needed to sustain its mission and operations for future generations. Ms. Crouse
said the Franklin County Library System is requesting that the Commissioners increase
the local public library tax by 0.3 mills. This would generate approximately $390,000
more for public library services system-wide per year, improving funding to the eight
library service outlets serving 140,000 plus residents in 2013. She said while this sounds
like a lot of money on the whole, it is a difference per capita of less than 25 cents per
month in the current tax structure, making the total library tax per capita less than $1.00
per month. FCLS Board of Directors unanimously endorsed this request at its last
meeting, citing the urgency of the need for additional funding, even to maintain the
current level of service. The thrift demonstrated by FCLS, throughout its history, will
enable the increase to provide quality library service for many years to come. Chairman
Keller said the libraries can’t provide services without retaining people or attracting new
people. He asked how are they compensated on average compared to other counties in
the region. Ms. Crouse responded that compared to Adams, York, Cumberland and
thth
other 5 or 6 class counties, they are running 10% under average for any job
description out there. Pay level is not updated, as people are being asked to do more
and still making $10 less an hour to do it. Commissioner Ziobrowski said right now the
tax is 0.8 mills and not all municipalities participate such as Mercesburg, Orrstown and
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Shippensburg. Ms. Crouse responded that Southampton, Orrstown and Shippensburg
participate in Cumberland County Library system which was decided years ago.
Mercersburg does not pay because they have a library that does not report to the FCLS
or the State. Commissioner Ziobrowski thinks Ms. Crouse has laid out a good case for
this but it appalls him that we are being asked to subsidize the state funding cuts, asking
us to increase our participation by 30% and making up for the state and there is another
100,000 beyond that. He asked if this will be used for capital expansion or just to
increase salaries and keep up with things. Ms. Crouse responded that it will be used to
keep up with things. When the FCLS asked last time they asked for 0.4 but commission
graciously gave them 0.2. With an increase there will be money to improve services for
what people want. An increase of 0.3 mills will bear with them for a number of years to
keep them moving forward rather than backward because of state cuts. Commissioner
Ziobrowski said back in 2007 library tax was 0.6 and if grant this requested increase
would move to 1.1 so would be almost double but this is worthy of the Board’s
consideration. Chairman Keller said what he heard her say was how the money would
be spent and the intent is to look at strategic five point comprehensive plan and respond
to the needs of the community with more services, more eBooks, current books,
educational resources, online resources, trying to retain and attract qualified employees,
further develop private fund raising efforts. A lot has been done to try to maintain but
this would be addressed with more resources. Commissioner Thomas said this country
has been at war for 10 years and a lot of reason the issue came about was lack of
education and low reading skills in other countries. While we are far away from that in
this country it’s important that we consider what it’s like in other parts of the world, we
can’t cut anymore other than shut doors down because this would lead to what has
happened in other countries. Ms. Crouse said improvements need to be equal to or
better than surrounding counties because people may go to other counties because they
have better services. We need to get back some programs that were working. She
thanked Commissioner Thomas for the wonderful point he made, the public library is the
one place that people can get authoritative, unbiased education services.
After a few questions from the press in attendance Chairman Keller opened the
floor for the public to provide any comments or questions.
Sheri Morgan said her son uses three different libraries and spends $3 a week
checking out videos. Our libraries do not offer age appropriate reading materials forlow
literacy level reading materials for adults so maybe if funding is increased they can
improve in this area.
James Wyrick asked if they could raise money by charging an annual
membership fee of $5 or $10. With the number of users this could raise a lot of money.
Chairman Keller asked Bernice to discuss some of the revenue sources. Ms.
Crouse said they do a fundraising campaign every year which raises approximately
$60,000. They also request private grants from local businesses which help but they are
already included in what currently spending. Some people that use the library could
afford a membership but it would limit people that couldn’t afford it. They work diligently
to raise funds voluntarily and it would be a sad day to charge just to use the library.
Ken Jones said that he and Doctor Wyrick were discussing the fee because there
are families in Guilford Township paying pool dues, VFW membership fees, Sam’s Club
fees, they can put a couple bucks out to feed the soul and mind especially if people are
willing to take out student loans for education. They should be able to pony up a few
bucks a year. Learn to fish and stop eating fish other people have caught.
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Chairman Keller thanked Bernice, Library Board members, library staff and the
public for being here today. He said the Board will take up this matter in the near future
and will put on the agenda when going to discuss further.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:21 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS