HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-15 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, September 15, 2016, 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 Robert G. Ziobrowski;
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.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved the minutes of the September 6, 2016 and September 8, 2016
meetings.
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 quote from William Bowen to provide appraisal services on a
Commercial lot located in Downtown Chambersburg, at a cost of$2,500.00.
The Board reviewed Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Application to the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for a grant in the amount of
$150,000.00 to be used for the Mental Health Co-Responder Program to provide an
integrated approach for individuals living with a mental illness, intellectual disability,
Autism, and/or co-occurring disorder and coming into contact with law enforcement,
without rising to the level of police officer custody. The co-responder will be hired
through a nonprofit but will be housed within three law enforcement departments:
Greencastle, Waynesboro and Washington Township. This grant would be for the
period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.
The Board reviewed Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant
Application to PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to strengthen the
Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) in its third year as it provides services to child abuse
victims and child witnesses of crimes and supporting MDIT collaboration on child abuse
investigations, improve criminal prosecution and services to victims. The grant request
is $50,000.00 for the period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the Change Order between the County of Franklin and General
Code for an additional Laserfiche license for the new part-time intern assisting with
benefits, allowing access to electronic workflow, document management, scanning and
editing documents, at a cost of$894.50 for the period of September 8, 2016 through
September 8, 2017.
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The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Amendment to the
original Tourism and Quality of Life Enhancement Grant agreement between the County
of Franklin and the Borough of Waynesboro for the Community Walking Trail Project.
This amendment will extend the ending date to October 31, 2017. All other terms and
conditions of the original agreement will remain in full force and effect.
The Board reviewed Veterans Affairs/Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Supplemental
Appropriation, in the amount of$42,000.00, to increase the budget for donations
received for the Veterans Affairs Outreach Fund and increase corresponding expenses.
John Hart, County Administrator, presented a Manager Transition Plan to the
Board. He explained the Board requested that he develop a transition plan for key
management positions for the next three to five years. He said there were several
discussions in executive sessions with the Board and today's presentation will highlight
those discussions. Mr. Hart explained it is critical to maintain stability for operations for
the welfare of the residents and for employees. He said county operations are very
complex with many departments and employees and numerous funding sources. He is
proposing that effective December 1, 2016 that Carrie Gray assume the position of
County Administrator. He has worked with Carrie for over seven years and he finds her
to be an excellent manager and supervisor. He will move to Chief Clerk and will
continue with the day to day operations through 2016. He said Mrs. Gray will continue in
her day to day operations and assume more responsibility as time progresses. He
recommended to immediately start the recruitment process for the soon to be vacant
Assistant County Administrator position. As the transition progresses over the next few
years Mrs. Gray and the Assistant Administrator will assume the duties and
responsibilities of county operations. With this announcement, Mr. Hart is requesting
the Board authorize the recruitment process immediately for the Assistant County
Administrator position and to promote Mrs. Gray to the County Administrator position
effective December 1, 2016. He said this plan is what they discussed during executive
session and now he is asking for the Board's input and approval. Chairman Keller
responded that as Mr. Hart said, everything he presented is consistent with what they
discussed during executive session. He said Mrs. Gray is an excellent choice for County
Administrator. The position she is vacating is a key position and he agrees that they
want to review the job description to make sure it is up to date and will approve the
position through Salary Board. He said regarding the succession plan, it is well thought
out and it will provide continuity of operations. He recognizes that they have a number
of initiatives to help us better serve residents of the county. For all those reasons, this is
a good plan. Commissioner Thomas responded that Commissioner Keller said
everything extremely well. He said that Carrie Gray has proven herself to him and to all
of the Board. He said now we need a succession plan for the succession plan. He said
this is a good plan and he applauds it. He said one unique thing about Carrie is the
initiative of the Data Driven Justice and if any employee knows Data Driven Decision
Making, it's Carrie. He is very comfortable with this plan. He thanked Mr. Hart for his
many years of service. Commissioner Ziobrowski said it's called a succession plan but
he looks at it as a new delineation of county responsibilities. He is glad that John will
continue with the County. He said when Carrie came here seven years ago he would
not have seen this coming but the cream rises to the top. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the transition plan
and the request to begin to advertise the Assistant County Administrator position.
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Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2016 expense
and revenue budget performance through July 2016. She advised that most
departments are under budget except for a few where most variances relate to one-time
or large expenses at the beginning of the year and normally work themselves out as the
year progresses. She said staff will continue to monitor them. Ms. Beckner said that
this includes items such as maintenance agreements, training, seasonal weather-related
expenses and supplies. She said general fund expenses are at 52% of budgeted
expenses compared to 58.3% in July of 2015. Ms. Beckner said revenues are 83.1%
collected of general fund revenue budget compared to 84.1% in July of 2015. Property
Tax collections for July were $37 million or 93.5%. This compares to 93% collected in
July of 2015 and a five-year average of 92.4%.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS