Fulton County adopts 2026 pay scale and formalizes health-insurance opt-out payment

Fulton County Commissioners approved the county'wide 2026 pay scale and a change to the HR manual establishing a monetary payment for employees who opt out of county health insurance.

HR Administrator Mary Huston presented the proposed pay scale; Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to approve and execute the 2026 pay scale, and the motion passed with all commissioners voting in favor. The board also approved the 2026 Certification of County Funds as presented by Interim County Treasurer Amy Bishop.

The HR manual revision updates Section 212 "Employee Benefits" to add an opt-out payment for eligible employees who waive the county health plan. The payment is pro-rated according to what is waived for the calendar year, capped at $1,020 ($85 per month). The policy states the waiting period will be excluded when calculating payment and that the payment will be paid with the final payroll in December or upon an employee's resignation, provided the employee leaves in good standing.

Commissioners emphasized that the opt-out payment is tied to the employee's enrollment decision and final payroll timing; the transcript contains a typographical error in the original motion text ("pai") that was corrected for clarity to "paid." The board voted unanimously to adopt the pay scale and the HR revision.

The board also approved routine financial housekeeping items, including certification of county funds for 2026, which Treasurer Amy Bishop presented as part of the meeting's budgetary matters. No amendments or opposing votes were recorded.