[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6616882,"mediaKeyId","2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33","parentId",2848418,"title","Franklin County approves phone, security and personnel actions; sets domestic relations director pay","audioSeconds",3207,"startMs",1012000,"endMs",4219000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33&start=1012&end=4219","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616882/Franklin-County/Pennsylvania/Franklin-County-approves-phone-security-and-personnel-actions-sets-domestic-relations-director-pay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616882-830a394e220460235927c250df8be267/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154329&Signature=mXFYoxZq9hOAFELRJt-9n0Ednt0ksYfd6prcTpaGFQMrqKonwB4hi5woEUHYkK-3HPmDsbQnu2hv5A3AKqGU7QJM9a6pDVDR-No5VHgTntT0gF-7ud-MvJAvH2lVbvsFli1nBGGEopjPtxa6A9ut7uSphr5KtlbkE7Kg8DjByQMC67qC7rXmM2f6ty~hJUZ5GnFOA1UPzgKN7GBXkTCazZ5Kts9~gcjrv5PdzzF~ePvZrblBrvqo4~3R4J52N52e6wYblnq8StgruUho-s42cC~RrUfEoRzSS~ZL~NM2UmoxeIQHUplu2mq8FLVJoHxM0E3UVQh0rGJy~xyB1HTBqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin County, PA","date","2025-04-02T15:13:25.03Z","article","Franklin County commissioners voted to approve several contracts and salary-board personnel actions during a public meeting, including a phone-system upgrade, security camera installation and a badge-printer purchase, release of juvenile-probation grant funds, and a negotiated pay rate for the county’s incoming director of domestic relations.

The most consequential personnel decision came at salary board, where members approved an amended offer to set the director of domestic relations salary at $88,276.30. The court had sought higher pay to secure the selected candidate; Judge C. Zook, the administrative judge for the family division, and court administration urged the board to approve a higher starting rate than the county’s initial Human Resources calculation. Salary-board documents presented at the meeting said the county HR rate was $82,136.38 and the candidate had requested $90,000; the board approved $88,276.30 after discussion and a proxy vote on behalf of the president judge.

Also at salary board, members approved the release of grant-and-aid funds for juvenile probation tied to a state award totaling $134,221 for state fiscal year 2024–2025. The memo from court administration and Chief Rick Ackerman described that up to $9,750 of the award may be used for employee stipends (for master’s-degree holders and coaches/trainers as specified by the grant), and that the stipends would be reduced by payroll taxes.

On the regular agenda, the board approved an agreement with CenturyLink to replace legacy PRIs used for county phone lines at an estimated cost “about $52,000,” with roughly 70% of the cost expected to be paid from the general fund. The board also approved two agreements with Allcom: one to install cameras for the surface parking lot planned after the Sears building is removed (planned to be funded from the workers’ compensation reserve) and a second agreement to purchase a new county badge-printer at about $9,500 (also eligible for workers’ compensation reserve funding). The board approved the consent agenda, which included vouchers for a senior farmers-market voucher program funded by state allocations for the department of aging.

Correctional leadership brought a separate salary-board proposal to convert 10 rostered full-time correctional officer positions (positions 96–106 on the jail roster) to part-time status to increase scheduling flexibility amid a staffing shortfall. Warden Franzone told the board the jail currently had 54 officers on a roster that lists 106 positions and that analysis suggested a need for 86–90 full-time staff; commissioners approved the conversion to help fill shifts with part-time hires and reduce overtime pressure on existing staff.

All motions on the county board agenda were approved with affirmative votes. The director-pay motion and the juvenile-probation grant release were approved during salary board after discussion among the president judge’s representatives and court administration.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to approve agreement with CenturyLink to upgrade county phone PRIs (estimated ~$52,000): approved.
- Motion to approve agreement with Allcom for parking-lot security cameras (workers’ comp reserve): approved.
- Motion to approve Allcom badge-printer purchase (~$9,500): approved.
- Motion to approve consent agenda (including senior farmers-market vouchers): approved.
- Salary board: set director of domestic relations pay at $88,276.30 (amended motion): approved (proxy vote recorded on behalf of the president judge).
- Salary board: release juvenile probation grant-and-aid funds tied to SFY 2024–2025 award of $134,221 (including up to $9,750 for stipends): approved.
- Salary board: convert 10 full-time correctional officer positions to part time (positions 96–106): approved.

The board did not identify substantive legal objections to the individual agreements during the meeting; county staff said most purchases would be funded from identified reserves or general fund allocations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Commissioners Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Franklin County commissioners voted to approve several contracts and salary-board personnel actions during a public meeting, including a phone-system upgrade, security camera installation and a badge-printer purchase, release of juvenile-probation grant funds, and a negotiated pay rate for the county’s incoming director of domestic relations.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Pennsylvania","taxId",56445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616870,"Commissioners proclaim Telecommunicators Week, declare Month of the Young Child; employees raise $720 for 4‑H therapeutic riding center",0,1667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33&start=1667&end=1667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33/thumbnail_1667000.jpg","/articles/6616870/Franklin-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-proclaim-Telecommunicators-Week-declare-Month-of-the-Young-Child-employees-raise-720-for-4H-therapeutic-riding-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616870-26e5081202a5a1f74dbfada7ef33489c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154329&Signature=hmd36T7fp1EX057zGlFPhmoUHSCbJC4EZGiZuWIkW2SDFHUtx3AO4c~CspvawScN6BHj8DGSmDH0R3DbSibjO8R-6VjhtHxynvcPsXQj-gHF63gbQf0B92zkKE6KeGJfWRtBx-26h8HQoDqDFAAuR~OINqzR4~b-TKGQab~4Mmcny9g0kRNtpDBb4gXA35ZPXo0eU1eLVw3wXLWb~ZRWqwDXi5sLKji-rWvGyYFLDjFtuKcvqLftA~7DC62Ro0WgZnJdgFGAuJ~eElTuQW2ItkH7AYB5dAxrAf9vl25Bvc3bTNAsjjJuuxwvk2ri7uB~kbcpqVw73cJqJ~lGkzELIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County commissioners issued two proclamations and recognized a county employee charitable effort during the meeting. The board declared April 13–19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Franklin County and proclaimed April as the Month of the Young Child.

Mary Kay Sabille, director of emergency services, introduced the telecommunicators proclamation and thanked dispatchers as the “first responders” who take the first calls from the public. The proclamation text read on the record thanked telecommunicators for their professionalism and noted their role in protecting lives and property.

The board also read a proclamation declaring April as the Month of the Young Child, citing work by First Start Partnership for Children and Families and the National Association for the Education of Young Children to emphasize early childhood development and the need for quality early-learning opportunities. Jen Halbecker and representatives from First Start joined the meeting to accept the proclamation.

County human-resources staff also presented a “dress-down” check award recognizing a March fundraiser that collected $720 for the Franklin County 4‑H Therapeutic Riding Center on Franklin Farm Lane. Carrie Kenny said 147 employees across 22 departments participated. Susan Bridal, director of the riding center, said the program serves more than 60 riders and uses funds for adaptive saddles, rain supplies and feed for the horses.

Commissioners thanked county staff and volunteers for supporting these community programs; both proclamations were approved by voice vote, and staff posed for photographs with program representatives.","Franklin County commissioners issued proclamations honoring National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 13–19, 2025) and proclaimed April as the Month of the Young Child, and recognized a county employee fundraiser that raised $720 for the Franklin County 4‑H Therapeutic Riding Center.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616875,"Residents urge longer contingency and warn budget cuts could force tax increases",169,165000,334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33&start=165&end=334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6616875/Franklin-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-urge-longer-contingency-and-warn-budget-cuts-could-force-tax-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616875-094bf3b755a7d86ca9776ddd5a723cce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154329&Signature=i3qb~BmT0F96SCo0j5mlYfKbPGibQUW0UnPrV81PqAKx1axMyYXwOliA~nfVvvtzRKOlQLf7O2~haP3cqhR2DQGGqvQIFzDKsfy7mofcg3Ytj1x1GUeFDrDu6ScfaN183numrT-AMeHvuv~dr34wGtx3r-O1JY9tQWCU9FuBy79sxrJKUNDiNdfOsW3uFPQ5yLExoZuB6eKmA5OGdaWDWaDF2QsRXLXvKI5s0o6uFRv2GTiqNccCXLDFeeFnQeCPUGd4XiRITiVhoB7LwW2WAXfpJpSaNR4cE4dGI9VZTJVOWtoxSti9rI-W1be7i2-Fxmo65vxkjLN0FG7kDRIZ5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the meeting, public commenters pressed the commissioners on budget contingency planning and the county tax outlook.

Kim Wirtz of Chambersburg asked about the county’s contingency period, saying, “I have a couple questions. First of all, did I hear correctly that we have about a 45 day contingency, which to me is kinda unacceptable. I'd rather have minimum 60.” The chairman replied he believed the county had a 60-day contingency and asked staff to verify the exact figure.

Valerie Jordan of Fayetteville asked about reductions in the county budget and how that could affect services and taxes. Jordan said she reviewed budget figures and observed the county budget had decreased from roughly $171.2 million to approximately $162.7 million; she warned that continued cuts could lead to service reductions or the need to raise taxes. Jordan illustrated the local impact by estimating a 2% budget increase would have meant an additional $22.61 on her county tax bill and said she planned to pay her taxes that day.

Commissioners answered briefly: one noted reductions discussed appeared mainly in capital expenditures rather than service cuts, and another noted the county is managing bridge and capital needs on a replacement schedule. County staff said they would confirm the contingency length and the specifics of budgetary changes.

Public comments flagged fiscal concerns for upcoming budget cycles and urged continued transparency on how reductions would affect services and whether tax increases might be necessary.","During public comment, residents raised concerns about the county's contingency period and recent budget reductions, urging commissioners to consider longer contingency planning and warning cuts could necessitate future tax increases.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616879,"County staff outline early intervention services for children 0–3 and funding structure",453,2471000,2924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33&start=2471&end=2924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848418-2fdaf6507e73c8b760a5534473b51f33/thumbnail_2471000.jpg","/articles/6616879/Franklin-County/Pennsylvania/County-staff-outline-early-intervention-services-for-children-03-and-funding-structure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616879-48a361c4707213aa81106f349aa33dc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154329&Signature=GM2383TaMzHzniAVTG3qXSYigcsw9Vo~RTlb477rFAick745YHbe6Vvf071tQ43~~eYmF3dFXZZPK0sD-j783J-uLnfnsmE-35JEI5--rwcXIX9TsYXwxwEwibXjui7GbDIRyPXTRUtk0u8WOaERyOw52sdGscFgJDWPVxlwjD9inUow~esD2IYPcKA15i~cB3bZSTq5rGrnSjCBKR0nuE9QYLZLywvJd~4~U1PTBve-PTPUVIeWUbVPuDbvIYpJS1TLel4J7cwx6b6QnljFfqrPuncuWBC4O2-aWmQd8I94ED6j6co1jwV6UM4w4-fzdJka1-QM2~iep7oy8Jrh-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff from the Mental Health, Early Intervention and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (MHIDDEI) department gave an overview of the county’s Early Intervention program, which provides assessment and therapy services to children from birth to age 3 and their families at no cost to eligible families.

Stacy Brookins, MHIDDEI administrator, and Jen Halbecker, Early Intervention program specialist, told commissioners the program is an entitlement overseen by the state Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Brookins said funding comes from Department of Human Services early-intervention allocations, Medical Assistance, and the Infant Toddler Families (ITF) waiver for children with higher needs. Halbecker explained that the ITF waiver covers services not paid by Medical Assistance and that families receiving waiver services must have Medical Assistance.

Officials said the county currently contracts with 14 provider agencies and serves roughly 500 children across Franklin and Fulton counties. Services commonly provided include special instruction, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy; visits are tracked in 15-minute billing units and most providers bill on a fee-for-service basis. Brookins described the program’s family-guided, routines-based coaching model, where specialists work with caregivers in daily routines to transfer skills so families continue practices when therapists are not present.

County staff described operational requirements: initial contact and assignment to a provider must occur within 14 days of referral; providers submit invoices through the state’s Promise billing system by the 15th of the following month; and the county uses a time-study process to allocate administrative costs. Halbecker noted contracted interpretation services that cover more than 50 languages accompany therapists to visits as needed.

Commissioners and staff discussed funding and county contribution levels. County staff stated a county match exists; Halbecker said Franklin County’s match is approximately 9 percent. Commissioners thanked staff for outreach efforts to hospitals and families and for work that supports parents whose children receive early diagnoses in the NICU.

County staff said the program’s administrative oversight and the provider network aim to ensure timely access to evaluation and services and to limit county-level financial exposure by using available state and waiver funding.

Speakers quoted on the record included Stacy Brookins and Jen Halbecker, who each provided program and funding details on the record.","Franklin County presented its Early Intervention program, describing services for children 0–3, funding sources (state early intervention funds, Medical Assistance, Infant Toddler Families waiver), a roughly 500-child caseload across Franklin and Fulton counties, and operational details including 14 provider agencies and interpretation services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Franklin County approves phone, security and personnel actions; sets domestic relations director pay

Commissioners proclaim Telecommunicators Week, declare Month of the Young Child; employees raise $720 for 4‑H therapeutic riding center

Residents urge longer contingency and warn budget cuts could force tax increases

County staff outline early intervention services for children 0–3 and funding structure