CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Franklin County commissioners are preparing to refinance a portion of the county’s debt, a move officials said could save taxpayers more than $500,000 in interest costs without extending repayment schedules or funding new projects.
During a presentation Wednesday, county financial adviser John Frye of PFM Financial Advisors said current market conditions have created an opportunity to refinance portions of bonds issued in 2018 at lower interest rates.
“We’re trying to save the county money,” Frye told commissioners.
The proposal would refinance approximately $25.3 million in bonds currently carrying 4 percent interest rates. Based on current market conditions, Frye estimated the move would generate roughly $513,000 in net savings over the life of the debt.
Annual savings would total about $60,000 to $65,000 through lower debt service payments, he said.
Frye emphasized the refinancing would not fund new projects or extend the county’s repayment schedule. Instead, it would replace higher-rate debt with lower-rate debt as portions of the bonds become eligible for refinancing later this year.
Commissioner John Flannery said the process differs from a traditional home mortgage because individual bond maturities can be refinanced separately.
“What we’re doing, if I’m correct, is we’re cherry-picking some with the higher rates and seeking to refinance them at a lower rate,” Flannery said.
Frye agreed and noted that projected savings estimates already account for refinancing costs.
Commissioners took no formal action on the proposal Wednesday. A bond ordinance is expected to come before the board in August.
Comptroller honors grandfather, a wounded World War II veteran
Franklin County Comptroller Harold Wissinger used public comment to honor his grandfather, a World War II veteran who lost a leg after being wounded in Austria four days before Victory in Europe Day.
Wissinger read from a 1945 newspaper article detailing his grandfather’s injuries and spoke about the importance of preserving veterans’ stories, particularly because many military records were destroyed in a federal archives fire decades ago.
“It’s very important that we at least verbally remember these individuals, remember their stories, remember their sacrifices so they’re not lost forever to time,” Wissinger said.
He also encouraged continued support for protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act, noting the challenges disabled veterans faced before its passage.
County details annual audit process
County fiscal officials also presented an overview of the county’s annual financial reporting and audit process, describing the work required to document county finances and verify compliance with federal funding requirements.
Chief Financial Officer Teresa Beckner said the audit process serves as one of the county’s primary accountability measures.
“This process is how we demonstrate accountability, how we verify the accuracy of our financial reporting, and provide assurance to taxpayers, funding agencies, including our credit rating agency, and other stakeholders that county resources are being managed responsibly,” Beckner said.
Fiscal Director Janelle Friese explained that the county’s annual financial statements include both countywide and individual fund reporting, along with supporting notes and management analysis intended to explain changes in revenues and expenses.
Friese said the county’s independent auditors are currently conducting portions of the 2025 audit.
New contract for Youth Services
Commissioners approved an agreement with Harmony Heights Housing LLC to provide residential placement services for children involved with Franklin County Children and Youth Services.
Children, Youth and Family Services Director Minnie Goshorn said finding appropriate placements for teenagers remains a challenge across Pennsylvania.
“We are continuing to have problems with our teenagers and trying to find locations for them,” Goshorn said.
Goshorn said provider costs are expected to rise because of state regulatory changes that will require lower staff-to-child ratios in residential facilities.
Public comments focus on seniors, migrant detention concerns
Public commenters raised concerns about senior services, accessibility and immigration enforcement.
Resident Valerie Jordan urged commissioners not to increase the recommended contribution for senior meals from $2 to $3.
“A 50 percent increase to some of these people is a lot,” Jordan said. “These are our neighbors.”
Jordan also questioned the accessibility of the county’s new senior center, citing long walking distances for some visitors with mobility issues.
Later in the meeting, Jordan criticized the possibility of immigration detention activity in the county and argued such efforts could create legal and financial burdens for local governments.
Employee of the Month
Commissioners recognized procurement assistant Ellen Hill as Franklin County’s June Employee of the Month.
Coworkers praised Hill’s attention to detail, procurement expertise and reliability, describing her as “the foundation of this department.”
Hill credited her colleagues for the recognition.
“I work with a great team,” she said. “Makes it easy.”
