Franklin County Legislature approves grants, vendor contracts and property sales during October meetings

The Franklin County Legislature met Oct. 6 and Oct. 20 and approved a bundle of routine appointments, grant acceptances and budget amendments, while also moving ahead with several property sales and rescinding an earlier deed acceptance after a title problem surfaced.

The sessions, chaired by D. Billy Jones, included enactment of multiple standing resolutions. Members unanimously approved reappointments and routine procedural items, accepted a $112,983 grant from the Office of Indigent Legal Services for the Public Defender's office and authorized the Office For the Aging to accept a $10,000 DSRIP grant to support health care redesign activities.

Why it matters: The Legislature’s acceptance of the TANF Flexible Funds allocation (FFFS) and other grants authorizes county departments to spend state and federal money that is 100% reimbursable and supports services for low-income families, legal representation for indigent defendants and upgrades to the county’s emergency communications systems.

Key actions and outcomes

- TANF Flexible Funds for Family Services: The Legislature accepted a $2,606,195 FFFS allocation for State Fiscal Year 2016–2017 and authorized $593,693 in contract spending to extend existing vendor agreements (including funds for The Phoenix Project, Community Connections, and other providers). The resolution specifies the period of April 1, 2016–March 31, 2017 and that unexpended funds will roll into the 2017 budget.

- PSAP grant for communications center: The Legislature authorized acceptance of a $170,493 PSAP grant from New York State to upgrade and sustain the county communications center; the grant is 100% reimbursable with unspent amounts to be carried into 2017.

- Public Defender and public health grants: The Public Defender office was authorized to accept a $112,983 Office of Indigent Legal Services grant (Distribution #6) covering 2016–2018. Public Health Services accepted an $11,500 STI incentive from the NYS Department of Health and adjusted its immunization fees effective Oct. 14, 2016.

- Transportation project commitment: The county approved a Marchiselli/federal-aid project for Coveytown Road (PIN 7753.36), appropriating $25,000 from existing funds to cover the county’s share of right-of-way acquisition; the motion passed with one abstention.

- Property conveyances and tax-sale auction: The Legislature approved multiple quitclaim deeds tied to tax-sale reversion reports and authorized the Treasurer to deliver deeds upon receipt of sale proceeds. The results of an Oct. 5 auction (Schedule A) were reported; several highest bidders failed to close on parcels and the Legislature voted to reject and readvertise those parcels.

- Rescinded deed acceptance: Members unanimously rescinded a Oct. 6 resolution that had accepted title to 353 Lower Park Street in Malone after learning the estate did not hold clear title and could not transfer ownership at that time.

Other votes included budget transfers in the Highway Department to purchase a dump truck, a budget amendment to lease vehicles for the Sheriff's inmate-transport needs, adoption of changes to the county’s Workers’ Compensation self-insurance local law, and approval of retiree health insurance premium rates for 2017.

What happened procedurally: Routine motions to accept minutes and correspondence were approved at the start of each meeting. Most resolutions passed unanimously; the Coveytown Road appropriation passed 6–0 with one abstention noted in the minutes.

Looking ahead: Most grant-funded items are 100% reimbursable and include language to roll unspent funds into the 2017 budget. The county indicated that rejected auction parcels will be readvertised at a future public sale. The Legislature also directed administrative steps for capital-project sponsor resolutions tied to North Country Community College's request for state matching funds.

Votes at a glance (selected)

- Res. 256 (Coveytown Road, PIN 7753.36): adopted (6 ayes, 1 abstention); $25,000 appropriated. - Res. 271 (rescind Res. 258 accepting 353 Lower Park St.): adopted unanimously. - Res. 272 (PSAP grant): adopted unanimously; $170,493 accepted. - Res. 273 (FFFS/TANF allocation): adopted unanimously; $2,606,195 accepted, $593,693 in contract spending authorized. - Res. 260 (Public Defender Distribution #6): adopted unanimously; $112,983 accepted.

The meetings were procedural and largely focused on administering grant funds, managing county property, and making modest budget adjustments to support county operations and service contracts. The Oct. 6 meeting adjourned at 12:03 P.M.; the Oct. 20 meeting adjourned at 11:45 A.M.