HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-04 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, December 4, 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.
Ken Jones provided public comment about the budget surplus that the Fiscal
Director reported on last Thursday. Chairman Keller responded that what was
presented is the way the surplus would be if approve all requests. Mr. Jones also wanted
to inform the Board that the Tuscarora School District may be sending them a letter
about the list they received from the County that shows a list of properties from 2003 to
2006 that are listed as destroyed or gone. The School District would like to know why
they just disappear. Commissioner Thomas responded that there are fires and mobile
homes that move out but will find out for sure.
James Wyrick provided public comment and informed the Board they will receive
a letter from the school district asking for addresses of these properties. Mr. Wyrick
asked if Chairman Keller responded to his Agenda 21 question. Chairman Keller
responded he has not.
Kim Wertz provided public comment and asked if the Board plans to increase the
surplus or have a rainy day fund and what does the Board plan to do to increase the
surplus?
Allen Piper provided public comment to inform the Board that he and his
organization does not support any tax increase in the 2013 budget. Mr. Piper also would
like the Board to discuss each item on the agenda as he has requested in the past. He
says the board is not being transparent and open.
Kim Wertz provided a second public comment to inform the Board that she is in
favor of the budget presented last Thursday but is there any chance that can keep an
increase to no more than .5% and keep finances down to bare minimum.
The minutes of November 27, 2012 and November 29, 2012 meetings were
reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, December 6, 2012.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner
Thomas provided more information on the Jail agreement to screen job applicants for
corrections and he fully endorses it. Chairman Keller explained further the Unified Care
Management System (Board Action #2) and all three board members are in support of
this initiative to share data between the District Attorney, Jail, Adult Probation and Public
Defender. The items will be approved Thursday, December 6, 2012.
John Hart, County Administrator, provided an update on the 2013 Budget
process. Staff presented the all request budget last week and received direction from
the Board to utilize 1.5M savings from prior year, .5 mill increase in millage and
determine if reserve spending is required. Fiscal Department has been working with
various departments to reach the goal to have 2013 operating costs set at 2012
projected spending. He has gone through personnel and capital requests and has
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denied certain requests. Managers have been asked to relook at budgets again to trim
them. At this time Information Services initiatives, building security, maintaining radio
system, records management, and having a MEP study of facilities are priorities. Mr.
Hart is pleased to report that will be able to bring budget in as directed by the Board
however, staff continues to review personnel and capital requests. Staff will present the
preliminary budget on Thursday. This budget will be utilizing 1.5M in savings from 2012,
a .5 mill increase and $300,000 - $400,000 in reserve spending. Chairman Keller would
like to know what we will have in reserves at end of 2013. Mr. Hart will provide that
information on Thursday. Commissioner Thomas would like to be more stable with rainy
day fund beyond 90 days. Commissioner Ziobrowski explained why the .5 mills is not a
tax increase and how the state budget cuts have forced us to increase the millage rate
due to continue funding the state mandated programs. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked
if this budget will keep salaries more competitive and help to reduce turnover. Mr. Hart
responded that this budget contains a salary survey allotment and the goal is to hold a
special Salary Board in late December to review salary information and deliberate. This
budget also includes a 2% cost of living adjustment which is in line with inflation.
Chairman Keller thanked Mr. Hart for his efforts and if he comes back with what he has
suggested then he will be in support of it.
Chairman Keller wanted to deliberate on last week’s Library’s request to increase
their library tax from .8 mills to 1.1 mills. Commissioner Thomas supports increasing the
library tax by .25 mills due to the library being important to the community, state and
country. He asks that the library system continue to increase their fundraising efforts
which is in their strategic plan moving forward. Commissioner Ziobrowski said the library
should be encouraged to do more fund raising in the private sector and he is supportive
of increasing by .25 mills. Chairman Keller pointed out how much the library has fund
raised every year since 2008 which shows there is great community support from the
public that would like to see libraries continue what they are doing and he feels the
increase in the library tax is merited. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by
Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to direct staff to prepare the required
resolution to show the .25 mill Library tax increase when the Board approves the budget
resolution at the end of the year.
The Board wanted to discuss the Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID)
Advisory Board report on the non-profit initiative. The Advisory Board Task Force’s
recommendation is to not move forward with the non-profit at this time but they did
endorse the idea of giving consideration of contracting out case management.
Chairman Keller recommended going into executive session since this decision could
directly affect personnel.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:32 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review Personnel matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at
11:10 a.m.
Chairman Keller said based on discussions in Executive Session the Board
would like a motion to have staff move forward with outsourcing case management in
MH/ID/EI. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to direct staff with moving forward with contracting out case
management services of MH/ID/EI. RFI’s for case management services were issued in
the spring and staff has reviewed the RIF’s and selected two top vendors. Chairman
Keller said this decision will eliminate the conflict of interest in the current structure and
the states level goal is to achieve distinction between case management staff and
administration staff. This will allow administration staff to provide more thorough and
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objective monitoring of case management; will free administration time to focus on
overall quality of the system. He explained the cons would be change is difficult and
scary and would need to work with new provider for a seamless transition. The new
case management firm would be a contracted service so would need a contract to work
closely with them to maintain current level of services. Commissioner Thomas said
many counties have already moved in this direction. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he
is concerned about the current staff and hopes there is no negative impact with this
transition. John Hart said staff will reaffirm with Fulton County that they are in favor of
outsourcing case management. Will have staff contact the two top vendors to verify
numbers are correct, if can provide continuity of services and provide a date of transition
for staff and the Board. Staff will come back to the Board either Tuesday or Thursday of
next week with recommended vendor. Then based on that recommendation will ask for
direction to proceed with the top vendor, enter into contract negotiations, provide
timeline, and inform staff and vendors. Chairman Keller recommends moving forward as
fast as possible with purpose of eliminating uncertainty. He would recommend having a
deadline of no further than June 30, 2013 but hopes can move faster. He thanked Mr.
Hart and staff for their guidance and advice.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:34 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS