Fulton County commissioners approve hires, certify Nov. 4 election and advance tentative 2026 budget

Fulton County commissioners on Nov. 18 approved routine payables and payroll, moved to hire two per‑diem employees and a full‑time deputy for the Prothonotary's Office, certified the results of the Nov. 4 municipal election and gave verbal approval to present a tentative county budget for 2026 at next week's meeting.

The board — Commissioner Randy H. Bunch, Commissioner Steven L. Wible and Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — voted to approve payables dated Nov. 18, 2025 totaling $152,769.34 and payroll dated Nov. 14, 2025 totaling $124,586.59. The payable total included $129,923.19 from the General Fund and smaller amounts across special funds, as presented at the meeting.

County auditors Penny Kipp, Holly Falkosky and Rebecca Kendall presented the annual audit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024; the auditors reported the Department of Community and Economic Development filing was completed and the full report is available on the county website. Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed and Mike Lamb of Wessel & Co. completed a final budget review; commissioners gave verbal approval to present the final 2026 draft next week for adoption of a tentative budget.

On personnel, Commissioner Hervey P. Hann read a written statement explaining the rationale for hiring two as‑needed per‑diem employees. He said, “We are moving to hire two Per Diem employees which will allow us to have help when needed instead of hiring individuals to be employed everyday, even when they are not needed. Myself, Commissioner Wible and HR Administrator Mary Huston interviewed for these positions and believe that someone is not hired because of who they are. We also believe that we do not, not, hire a person who is an excellent candidate because of who they are.” The board voted to hire Stephanie Seibert and Nya Minnier as per‑diem employees; the motion carried with Commissioner Bunch abstaining due to a conflict of interest. The board separately approved Joanie Faith as a full‑time Office Deputy I in the Prothonotary's Office, effective Dec. 1, 2025.

Other approved actions included execution of a one‑year HART extended warranty for Verity Scan equipment for $2,700, payment to Wessel & Co. for CFO services for October 2025 in the amount of $10,987.50, and a HART invoice for ballot creation and programming for $10,599.39. Chief Tax Assessor Melissa Gordon presented the Board of Assessment and Revision of Taxes Certification for the 2026 assessment roll to satisfy statutory requirements referenced in Purdon's 72 5453.701(c)-5; the commissioners approved the certification. Elections Director Linda Doyle presented the Certification of Computation of Election Results for the Nov. 4 municipal election, and the board approved it.

Veteran Affairs Director Richard Newman briefly updated the board about a state change to the Real Estate Tax Exemption for veterans; commissioners requested that Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives place the matter on the Nov. 25 agenda and consider approving additional hours for Newman's position to address the change.

The board held multiple brief executive sessions during the day for personnel and legal matters, met with Jennifer Deichert, the new 4‑H Area Educator, and recessed to meet with President Judge Meyers at the courthouse to discuss possible uses for the old Treasurer's Office. A letter from Chief Probation Officer Dan Miller about employee retention was reviewed but no action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

The commissioners noted separate, more detailed minutes are on file for the Salary Board, Retirement Board and other specific hearings referenced during the meeting.