HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-24 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, November 24, 2015, 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.
There was no public comment.
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 17, 2015 and November 19, 2015
meetings.
The Board reviewed Commissioners' Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the reimbursement
agreement between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation to reimburse for the 2016-2020 Bridge Inventory and Inspection Program
in the amount of$582,905.33.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the proposal from Zelenkofske
Axelrod (ZA) to provide services to assist the County with preparing, reviewing and
implementing the Subrecipient Monitoring Program at a cost of$7,500.00 for phase I for
development of the plan. The requirements for subrecipient monitoring are greatly
expanded under the new Uniform Guidance rules, under the Office of Management and
Budget. The term for this proposal is December 1, 2015 through November 30, 2016.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the Letter of Engagement from
Zelenkofske Axelrod, LLC to extend the contract for independent audit services for the
Integrated Transportation Program to include the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, at a
cost of$32,945.00 for the period of June 30, 2016 through June 30, 2019.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
Board to execute the quote from Emerson Network Power/Leibert Services to provide
semi-annual preventive maintenance service on Critical Systems Support for
uninterrupted power service (UPS) for DES/9-1-1 Building 426 and the 9-1-1 backup
center in the Courthouse basement for the period of January 1, 2016 through December
31, 2016 at a cost of$12,902.02.
The Board reviewed additional Property Management matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of Board to execute the proposal from ThyssenKrupp Elevators to provide
repairs in the elevator pit to correct and maintain structural deficiencies and safety
requirements as required by PA State Inspection regulations at 14 North Main Street,
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Chambersburg at a cost of$8,655.71 for the period of November 1, 2015 through
December 31, 2015. This service must be performed by a provider licensed and
certified in the State of PA. Quotes were requested and three companies responded.
This is the lowest qualified quote.
The Board reviewed additional Property Management matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of Board to execute the proposal from Emerson Network Power/DVL Group,
Inc. to purchase an alarm monitoring panel for the new UPS Leibert System located at
the 911 center at a cost of$5,719.00. Property Management will install the equipment.
The Board reviewed Tax Services matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the request from
Beiler-Campbell Realtors and Auction Services for a list of all Franklin County parcels
that have 30 acres or more. The listing will be used for direct mailer purposes for a once
a year mailer to farms and land type properties in the form of a post card informing them
of the business in case they are looking for help to liquidate any assets. Beiler-Campbell
Realtors and Auction Services will pay for the listing and cost will be determined by
amount of records printed.
In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Plenary Walsh
Keystone Partners notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) General Permit GP-11 application being applied for repair of a
structurally deficient bridge located in Hamilton Township.
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 Franklin County Area Development
Corporation Industrial Building for stormwater discharges associated with construction of
a commercial/industrial development on property located in Fort Loudon, PA.
In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Century
Engineering notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection small projects General Permit application being applied by Franklin County
General Authority for Roxbury Dam Access Bridge Replacements located in Letterkenny
and Lurgan Township.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2016 proposed
budget which if approved by the board will be on public display for twenty days. She
explained the counter copies include details for revenues and expenditures for all
operations. This will also be available on the county's website. She explained staff also
prepares a popular report which is a summary of the budget, which will also be available
on the website. A few points she highlighted include: Total expenditures for all
operations and all services equals $107.6 million and total revenue is budgeted at
$109.1 million; there is a 1.95 mill tax increase included in this budget to be used for
general operations; debt service millage of 2.6 remains the same. She said the Board
remains committed to streamlining government, improving services and planning for the
future and the 2016 budget reflects funding to accomplish those objectives which
include: priorities of public safety and security; information technology for courts and
court-related operations, 911, tax services, employees and vendors; quality of life
programs such as farmland preservation and tourism and quality of life enhancement
grants; maintaining services for county's most vulnerable; and attracting and retaining a
skilled and dedicated workforce. Ms. Beckner said the 2016 budget includes $1,920,000
from Fund 40 and Fund 41 (facilities and equipment repair and replacement funds) for
facility planning, furniture, major computer equipment, software, technology projects,
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vehicles, public safety technology and building repairs and improvements. She
continued that changes in 911 funding, effective with Act 12 of 2015, resulted in
additional revenue for both 2015 and 2016 and has been used to help offset the costs of
operating the county's 911 center. The benefit of the additional funding will begin being
realized in the later part of 2015 and is expected to carry on through 2016. She said we
have estimated an additional $1.4 million in revenue, which resulted in lower general
fund transfer being required. The General Fund pays for court and magisterial district
judge operations, the county jail, the day reporting center, tax services, elections and
voter registration, administration and planning offices, veterans' affairs and the public
defender, property management and elected official offices. It also provides financial
support to outside agencies and human services programs, 911 center and HazMat
operations and Domestic Relations. Ms. Beckner said the total general fund budget is
$46,658,400. Our revised operating budget for 2015 is $44,968,600. This reflects an
increase in our general fund budget from 2015 of 3.6%, amounting to $1.7 million. Ms.
Beckner reviewed and explained each line item for expenses and revenues. She
continued that the net effect shows that without adding additional revenue, expenses
exceed revenues by $2.8 million. If you add our projected 2015 results, which indicate
an expected deficit of$1.6 million, we would be using approximately $4.4 million of our
reserves over the course of the two years. By adding 1.95 mills of tax revenue, we
generate an additional $2.7 million, bringing the net utilization of reserves over the two
years to $1,652,200. She said the 2016 proposed budget provides for the board's
priorities and maintains reserves at recommended levels, while providing for no more
than 2 mills of additional taxes. Our total ending general fund reserves are expected to
be $11.5 million which equates to 90 days of General Fund expenses, meeting the
recommendation of our auditors. This has helped the county to carry our general fund
into each year without borrowing money and also to help with the state's budget
impasse. We have maintained services, serving our clients, keeping our workforce
employed and paying our vendors and providers. She continued that the ending result
is: Revenues are up in many areas, the budget reflects a 1.95 mill increase in the
property tax rate for general operations; we have maintained an expense budget at
current levels while also providing for operations which are growing and requiring
additional funding; allowed a pay increase for employees; provided for 2016 capital and
personnel expansion as necessary; have provided funds for facility and equipment
needs and special projects; and maintained a General Fund reserve balance that meets
the 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. The
"three C's" which includes courts, crimes, and corrections makes up 78 cents to support
the three C's. That compares to 76 cents last year and 74 cents for 2014. Ms. Beckner
continued that 4 cents for every tax dollar goes for public safety, administration, and
financial services. Ms. Beckner opened the floor for questions from the Board.
Commission Thomas said the last time we discussed this, we asked for no more
than 2 mills and limited use of reserves. This budget does that. He said maintaining a
healthy fund balance will be prudent as delayed state budgets may be the wave of the
future. Referring to PA budget impasse, Commissioner Thomas said many in Harrisburg
believe there will eventually be a temporary framework to get funds flowing again to
counties through June 2016, but they will likely start over again with no budget in July
2016. Commissioner Thomas said this Board has absorbed the challenge and continued
funding essential services as we do not want to forsake anyone who is at risk in the
community because they don't have it together in Harrisburg. Chairman Keller said in
the past six years the county has only increased taxes 2.2%. The board gave guidance
last week to craft a budget that streamlines operations, provides for public safety and
promotes qualify of life for residents of Franklin County and he applauds Mr. Hart and
Ms. Beckner for doing that. This is a solid budget that lets us move forward in pursuit of
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these goals. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he agrees and they have put off a lot of
things in recent years and we can only do that for so long. Chairman Keller said the
proposed budget needs to go on the counter for public view for 20 days so he feels it
would be appropriate to have approval from the board to put the proposed budget on the
counter and to schedule consideration of adopting it on December 17th. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to place
the proposed budget on the counter for twenty days.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:24 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS