Fulton County commissioners approve $152,769 in payables and set 2026 budget draft for next week

Fulton County commissioners approved $152,769.34 in payables and $124,586.59 in payroll during their Nov. 18, 2025 meeting, and agreed to present the final draft of the county's 2026 budget at the Nov. 25 meeting for adoption of a tentative budget.

Commissioner Randy H. Bunch opened the meeting and commissioners moved, seconded and approved the Nov. 18 payables, which included a General Fund payment of $129,923.19 and smaller amounts across several restricted funds. Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to approve payroll dated Nov. 14, 2025 in the amount of $124,586.59; the motion carried.

County fiscal staff and Wessel and Co. CFO services met with department heads and commissioners for a final budget review ahead of the public advertisement. After the review, the board gave verbal approval for the final 2026 budget draft to be presented next week for adoption of a tentative budget. Mike Lamb of Wessel and Co. and Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed participated in the review, which department heads said included line-item updates and revenue estimates.

The county auditors told the board they had filed the required Department of Community and Economic Development report and published notice of the audit; they said the full annual audit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024 is available on the county website. The presentation and the board's agreement to present the tentative budget next week keep the county on the statutory timeline for preliminary budget adoption.

The board will consider the tentative budget at its Nov. 25 meeting, at which time the county may set a public hearing date for final adoption if it follows standard procedure.