Fulton County commissioners hire two per-diem workers, approve payroll and set 2026 tentative budget for presentation

Fulton County commissioners on Nov. 18 approved personnel moves, accepted routine financial items and set a schedule to present the final draft of the 2026 budget for tentative adoption at next week's meeting.

Commissioner Hervey P. Hann read a letter explaining the rationale for adding two countywide per-diem positions "which will allow us to have help when needed instead of hiring individuals to be employed everyday, even when they are not needed." He said the panel believed "someone is not hired because of who they are" and argued the per-diem arrangement would broaden flexibility for departments. The board voted to hire Stephanie Seibert and Nya Minnier as per-diem employees, pending required clearances; Commissioner Randy H. Bunch abstained from that vote, citing a conflict of interest.

Commissioner Steven L. Wible moved to hire Joanie Faith as a full-time Office Deputy I in the Prothonotary's Office effective Dec. 1, 2025; that motion carried unanimously. A brief Salary Board meeting set hourly wages for the new hires, and the per-diem positions will be used as-needed across county departments.

The board also approved payables dated Nov. 18, 2025 totaling $152,769.34 (General Fund $129,923.19) and payroll dated Nov. 14, 2025 totaling $124,586.59; both motions were recorded as "All in favor."

County auditors Penny Kipp, Holly Falkosky and Rebecca Kendall presented the annual audit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024, reported filing the Department of Community and Economic Development report and publishing notice in the Fulton County News, and said the full audit is available on the county website. Wessel & Co. representative Mike Lamb and Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed met with department heads and commissioners for a final budget review ahead of public advertising.

Commissioner Bunch said the board "gave verbal approval for the final draft of the 2026 budget" to be presented at the next meeting for adoption of a tentative budget. No tentative budget figures were adopted at this session; the board scheduled the formal tentative-adoption action for the following meeting.

Veteran Affairs Director Richard Newman briefed the board on a state change to the Real Estate Tax Exemption for veterans; commissioners asked Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives to add a fuller discussion and a request to approve additional hours for Newman to the Nov. 25 agenda.

Elections Director Linda Doyle presented the Certification of the 1st signing of the Nov. 4 municipal election results; the board approved and executed the Certification of Computation of Election Results as presented.

Other approvals included the 1st Quarter MATP Report for FY25-26, a one-year HART extended warranty for Verity Scan equipment ($2,700), the Board of Assessment and Revision of Taxes certification for tax year 2026 as presented by Chief Tax Assessor Melissa Gordon, Wessel & Co. invoice for October CFO services ($10,987.50), and a HART invoice for election ballot programming ($10,599.39). A brief Retirement Board meeting with Jon Cramer of Raymond James (via Zoom) reviewed a potential COLA for retirees; separate minutes are on file.

The board held executive sessions on Nov. 14 for personnel matters and on Nov. 18 for legal and personnel matters (10:32'11:48 a.m.) and again later in the day (2:54'3:10 p.m.). Commissioners recessed during the day to meet with President Judge Meyers about potential uses of the old Treasurer's Office and met Jennifer Deichert, the new 4-H Area Educator, accompanied by Penn State Extension Client Relationship Manager Jeffrey Hackenberg.

The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. The board is scheduled to consider the tentative 2026 budget at its next meeting on Nov. 25, 2025.