HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-20 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, November 20, 2018, 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.
Kim Wertz provided public comment and asked for more information on board
action item #3, PCCD Project Modification Request for the Drug & Alcohol Restrictive
Intermediate Punishment Program.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved the minutes of the November 13, 2018 and November 15, 2018
meeting.
In answer to Ms. Wertz question during public comment, Glenda Helman,
Director of Grants Management, explained the changes being requested to PCCD for
the Drug & Alcohol Restrictive Intermediate Punishment Program Grant.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved amendment #8 to
the original agreement (dated January 4, 2006) between the County of Franklin and CGL
Engineering, Inc. for facilities maintenance and Jail maintenance services. This
amendment is to increase the contract amount by 2.3%, effective January 1, 2019. All
other terms and conditions of the original agreement will remain in full force and effect.
Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the
Notice of Award, Agreement and Notice to Proceed to Lycoming Supply for the Franklin
County Judicial Center demolition and site work, for a bid amount of $1,268,928.00.
The Board reviewed Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the Project
Modification Request (PMR) to PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for
the 2018-2020 Intermediate Punishment Grant to include Medical Assistance income
and shift funds to cover the cost of cell phone service, purchase of a laptop and
accessories, purchase additional drug testing supplies and to purchase an additional
breathalyzer. Also requesting to shift funding from D&A Case Manager wages to cover
the cost of advertising and training expenses. Funds will be moved within the consultant
line from outpatient services to cover translation services and all but $200 will be moved
from recovery support services to recovery housing.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and Diamond
Automatic Sprinkler, Inc. to perform annual inspection of the sprinkler systems located at
Building 426 at a cost of $750.00, for the period of January 1, 2019 through December
31, 2019.
Continued on page 2
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 the Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and
Diamond Automatic Sprinklers, Inc. to perform annual inspection of the sprinkler
systems located at the Administrative Annex at a cost of $260.00, including $250.00 for
the annual backflow preventer test and $330.00 for internal inspection of system
components both recommended by N.F.P.A. for the period of January 1, 2019 through
December 31, 2019.
In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Martin & Martin, Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES
permit application being applied by Detroit II Automobile, Inc. for the Norland Avenue
Car Wash on property located in the Borough of Chambersburg.
In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Gannett Fleming
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection permit
application being applied by PA Department of Transportation for a bridge replacement
over the Falling Spring Branch located in Borough of Chambersburg.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, presented the 2019 proposed budget which, if
approved by the board, will be on public display for 20 days. She explained the counter
copy includes details for revenues and expenses for all operations. This will also be
of the budget that is prepared by staff. It has been expanded and revised this year to
include more graphics and highlight a few specific operations. The budget in brief will
following key items: The Board of Commissioners remains committed to improving
services, planning for the future, and streamlining government, while living within our
county government with the resources available. The 2019 budget reflects funding to
accomplish those objectives. Their priorities are provided for and include the following:
Public safety and security; maintaining services that support county citizens through
funding existing and new programs for human services and veterans; streamlining
government and delivery of our services; quality of life programs such as farmland
preservation and tourism and quality of life enhancement grants; and attracting and
retaining a skilled, dedicated workforce. She explained the 2019 budget provides
resources for: Updating and expanding our virtual environment infrastructure and our
information technology systems and security; upgrading 911 communication equipment
and software; continuing to expand our use of electronic document management; and
supporting operations which deliver human services and administer justice.
Ms. Beckner continued that the 2019 budget includes a property tax millage rate
of 29.1 mills. General operating millage remains at 25.0, and millage for debt service is
increased 1.5 mills, from 2.6 to 4.1. The tax increase is the result of the planned
increase in debt service from funds borrowed for the Court Facility Improvement Project.
The 1.5 mill increase will result in additional tax revenues to pay debt service of $2.2
million. The total expenditures for All Operations and All Services equal $163.6 million,
an increase of $41 million from revised 2018. The increase is due to the capital project,
with a total of $50.5 million of bond funds budgeted to be spent next year. Total revenue
is budgeted at $115.8 million, a reduction from the revised budget for the current year of
$166.0, which included the bond issue completed in May. Human service programs are
Continued on page 3
seeing an overall increase in spending of 10.1%, more specifically in Children & Youth
Services and Mental Health. Ms. Beckner explained that the general fund pays for court
and magisterial district judge operations, the county jail, the day reporting center, elected
official offices, tax services, elections and voter registration, administration and planning
financial support to outside agencies, as well as human service programs, the 911
center and HazMat operations, Domestic Relations, and a portion of the administration
of the Community Development Block Grant and Liquid Fuels programs. The total
general fund budget is $50,431,100. The revised operating budget for 2018 is
$50,777,000. This reflects an overall decrease of 0.7% amounting to $345,900 from
2018. Ms. Beckner explained that the General Fund revenues total $47,262,700. The
revised 2018 budget shows revenues of $47,578,600. That reflects a decrease of
$315,900, or 0.7%. She continued that with taxes, the 2019 proposed budget keeps
property taxes for general operations at the same level as 2018. The budget anticipates
tax revenues of $36,528,500. Taxes account for 77.3% of all GF revenue for 2019,
compared to 75.9% for 2018. The overall value of a mill of taxes gained 1.68% during
2018, generating an additional $616,225 for operating costs. For 2019, one mill
contributes $1,489,314. Interest earnings are at $180,100, an increase of $103,000 from
2018. She said the intergovernmental revenues for Federal and State are at $2,147,100
(4.5% of revenue, compared with 5.9% for 2018.) Ms. Beckner explained that over the
past couple of years we have seen decreases in federal and state revenue for grants in
criminal justice initiatives where funding has ended or is stepping down, including
Intensive Re-entry Case Management, Jail to Community Treatment, Mental Health Co-
cases, the grants may be applied for, but not awarded by budget time. For 2019, our
STOP grant is going through Women in Need, so those funds will no longer be passing
through the county. Keystone Communities Library Grant for Coyle
Library passed through the county. That was for $306,900 and was finalized in 2018.
Our budget reflected both the revenue and the corresponding expense. The overall
total reduction in federal and state revenue amounts to $638,200 (22.9%). Ms. Beckner
continued that charges for services are at $7.7 million (16.0% of GF budget for both
2019 and 2018 revised.). The overall net reduction in fee revenue is $52,000 (0.7%).
Reductions are noted with completion of significant technology projects in the
Prothonotary, Register and Recorder and Sheriff Offices ($323,200). Reductions in fees
collected by Register and Recorder and Sheriff are offset by increases in the Clerk of
Courts office. The reductions are offset by increases in revenue for remote public
access of tax records, fees charged by the Planning Department ($12,000) and Central
Booking ($10,000), and an increase in jail revenue for various programs, as well as bed
leasing ($80,000).
Ms. Beckner said that contributions and other revenues are at $779,000, with
1.6% of GF revenue; 2018 was 1.7% and 2017 was 1.8%. This includes rents for
various county buildings and land, municipal contributions for the drug task force, school
district contributions for providing juvenile probation officers in the schools and other
miscellaneous revenues. She said that wages and benefits total $28.1 million, which
makes up 55.8% of the general fund budget, compared with $27.6 million (54.3%) for the
2018 revised budget. The overall increase related to wages is 3.4% and total benefit
costs decreased 2.1%. While health care costs remain relatively flat due to the county
successfully negotiating benefit rates for 2019, we changed how we budgeted them for
2019 to more accurately reflect true costs. The General Fund share of the c
required contribution to the county pension plan increased by $145,000 for 2019. She
continued that operating costs are at $15,762,200 which reflects a 9.2% reduction from
2018 revised budget. Overall, operating costs account for 31.3% of total expenses for
budgets are proposed at a level consistent with actual spending over the past 3 years.
Continued on page 4
Contributing to the decrease is a reduction in costs to operate the day reporting center
($548,500) as well as pass-
previously ($306,900). Total jail operations, excluding capital are budgeted to cost the
general fund $14.5 million for 2019, the same as for 2018. Based on 2018 performance,
the budget for housing inmates outside the county was reduced by $215,200. Ms.
Beckner continued that transfers to support other county operations is at $5,215,500.
This makes up 10.3% of total general fund budget, compared with 8.8% for 2018.
Emergency Services, including the 911 Center and HazMat amount to $1,287,500 (2.5%
of GF). Domestic Relations amount to $628,300 (1.2% of GF budget). Human Service
Programs amount to $3,104,700 (6.1% of GF); $2,881,100 (6.2% for 2018), an increase
of $223,600. With Agriculture Preservation the Commissioners continue their
commitment by designating $150,000 of GF for purchase of agriculture easements.
Community Development Block Grant Administration amounts to $25,000, resulting from
a decrease in the overall size of the program and corresponding revenue to pay for
administration. The board remains committed to the program and continues to subsidize
the administration of it for 2019. Liquid Fuels Administration amounts to $20,000, from
more stringent rules around what is allowable to be purchased with LF funds.
in prior years, proposed expansions for personnel, capital and new projects are
budgeted to a contingency account. This allows for additional review prior to taking
action and incurring expense. Contingency includes funds for personnel expansion,
projects, furniture and minor equipment, and other capital purchases where needed.
General Fund contingency for 2019 amounts to 2.1% of the expenditure budget and
totals $1.1 million. Ms. Beckner said the net effect shows that without adding additional
revenue, expenses exceed revenues by almost $3.2 million. She explained further that
weeks ago we projected that the General Fund would perform better than the 2018
budget and we are still on track. The Commissioners tasked us with proposing a 2019
budget that used the savings and a minimal amount of additional reserves. In
accordance with the guidance from the board, the 2019 proposed budget provides
Beckner explained that with this budget, our General Fund reserves at the end of 2019
are expected to be $10.8 million. That equates to 78 days of General Fund expenses,
meeting the recommendation of our auditors and GFOA best practices. The ability to
maintain reserves at that level has helped the county be able to carry our General Fund
into each year without borrowing money. A healthy fund balance has also contributed to
our ability to maintain our AA bond rating, making the market more favorable for the
county to borrow money for new projects or refinance existing debt. Ms. Beckner
explained the following ending results: The budget reflects a tax increase of 1.5 mills for
debt service as previously planned for the debt incurred in May of this year for the Court
Facility Improvement Project; the budget includes spending bond proceeds toward
progress on the facility project; General Fund revenues are down slightly. She
continued that any expense budgets are flat, but we have also provided for operations
which require additional funding; allows for a pay increase to employees; provides for
2019 capital and personnel expansion as necessary; provides funds for facility and
equipment needs and special projects; and maintains a General Fund reserve balance
that meets recommended levels and provides cash flow for challenging times.
Ms. Beckner explained the tax dollar breakdown from the Budget-in-Brief report.
This shows how the property tax dollars that are collected are distributed to various
types of operations of the county. Note that this only includes general operating millage
and does not include tax dollars generated from debt service millage. She continued
that changes were made in the groupings this year to make it easier for readers to relate
Continued on page 5
categories of spending in the General Fund are grouped as: Crime, Courts and
Corrections which is the largest share of GF expense and is comprised of court
administration, MDJ offices, court-related elected officials, jail operations, day reporting
center, drug task force, district attorney and public defender, adult and juvenile
probation, and includes GF transfers to court-related operations outside the GF;
Community and Taxpayer Services which is the next largest; tax services (assessment
and claims), GIS, planning, archives, voter registration and elections, support to culture
and recreations and community and economic development organizations; Financial and
Administra
insurance costs, and administrative services charged back to the general fund;
Emergency Services are services provided by emergency management agency and GF
support to 911 center and hazmat; Human Services which is GF contributions to human
service programs that provide support to individuals in the community, including aging,
drug and alcohol, mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities, early
intervention,
primarily property management services to some of the GF county buildings. She
continued that although we changed the structure and calculations, we did recalculate
2018 in order to provide you a comparison of 2019 and 2018. Requiring the most tax
every tax dollar collected, 77 cents goes to support the 3 Cs. For 2018, it was 78 cents.
Ms. Beckner opened the floor for comments from the Board.
Commissioner Thomas asked if we included appropriations for new election
equipment in 2019 and Ms. Beckner responded that we did not. If we are mandated to
purchase new equipment a supplemental appropriation would need approved by the
Board. Commissioner Thomas explained that this was a major topic of discussion at the
County Commissioners Association of PA conference yesterday. He continued that
there are several counties including us that feel our current equipment meets the
requirement since we use paper ballots and the equipment can last another 3-5 years.
He also asked if Next Gen in Emergency Services was included in the budget and Ms.
Beckner responded that we budgeted for Vesta software upgrade which is Next Gen
compliant. Ms. Gray also responded that staff is working with Director Theirwechter to
identify if VESTA is the top priority for 911. Chairman Keller mentioned that during the
all request budget presentation there was a request to spend 2-3 million at the Jail for
upgrades to security infrastructure. He asked Ms. Gray how that has been addressed.
Ms. Gray responded that the Warden asked to pause and work with a consultant to get
better specifics and bring that information to the Board. In discussing with the group it
could take 2-3 quarters to complete the audit. We are looking at 2020 implementation
after the audit. Chairman Keller asked for more explanation on the 3.4% increase in
wages and salaries. Ms. Beckner explained that they do not account for budgeting what
vacancies may occur but we do have money left over when a vacancy does occur.
Chairman Keller said that our work is cut out for us in 2019 with overseeing the facility
project which is #1 reflected in the budget and that it proceeds in a timely fashion and
stays under budget. The Board will be actively engaged with legislators and CCAP
regarding the election equipment and 911 funding that the formula stay in place and
have a fair and equitable funding in place and that legislation is renewed and not allowed
to sunset, otherwise full funding of 911 will fall on the back of taxpayers. Chairman
Keller congratulated staff on
use of limited reserves and keeping with the goal of no tax increase on the general fund.
Continued on page 6
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved the proposed budget to be placed on the counter. Chairman
Keller announced that the final approval for the budget is scheduled for December 11,
2018 at 9:45 AM.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
____________________________________
David S. Keller, Chairman
____________________________________
Robert L. Thomas
Robert G. Ziobrowski