Fulton County commissioners approve payables, payroll, warranties and certify municipal election results

FULTON COUNTY — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 18 approved payables of $152,769.34 and payroll of $124,586.59, accepted the County Auditors' annual review and signed off on several vendor invoices and a warranty ahead of moving the 2026 tentative budget forward for public presentation.

Commissioner Randy H. Bunch called the meeting to order. County Auditors Penny Kipp, Holly Falkosky and Rebecca Kendall presented the auditors' report for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024, and said the DCED filing was completed and the full audit is posted on the county website and was published in the Fulton County News.

The board approved payables that include a General Fund total of $129,923.19 and itemized special funds. Commissioners also approved payroll dated Nov. 14, 2025, in the amount of $124,586.59. Commission votes on routine financial motions were recorded as "all in favor."

Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed and Mike Lamb of Wessel & Co. led a final budget review for 2026; commissioners gave verbal approval for the final draft to be presented at next week’s meeting for adoption as the tentative budget. "We will present the final draft for adoption of a tentative budget next week," a commissioner noted during the session.

The board approved contract and invoice items including a one-year HART extended warranty for Verity Scan equipment beginning Jan. 18, 2026, in the amount of $2,700; a Wessel & Co. invoice for CFO services of $10,987.50; and a HART invoice for election ballot creation and programming of $10,599.39.

Chief Tax Assessor Melissa Gordon presented the Board of Assessment and Revision of Taxes Certification for the 2026 assessment roll; Commissioner Steven L. Wible moved and the board approved the certification to comply with statutory requirements for an eighth-class county. Elections Director Linda Doyle presented the Certification of Computation of Election Results for the Nov. 4 municipal election, which the board approved.

The board conducted multiple executive sessions for legal and personnel matters during the day and recessed at times to meet separately with the president judge about potential uses of the county's old Treasurer's Office. The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Approve Nov. 4 Commissioners' Meeting minutes — Motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch; outcome: approved (all in favor). (SEG 001) - Table approval of Nov. 4 Retirement Board minutes pending further information — Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; outcome: approved (all in favor). (SEG 001) - Approve Payables dated Nov. 18, 2025 — Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; outcome: approved (all in favor). Amount: $152,769.34. (SEG 001) - Approve Payroll dated Nov. 14, 2025 — Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; outcome: approved (all in favor). Amount: $124,586.59. (SEG 002) - Approve hiring Joanie Faith, Office Deputy I (Prothonotary's Office) — Motion by Commissioner Steven L. Wible; outcome: approved (all in favor). Effective Dec. 1, 2025. (SEG 002) - Approve hiring two Per Diem employees (Stephanie Seibert and Nya Minnier) — Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; outcome: motion carried; Commissioner Randy H. Bunch abstained due to conflict of interest. (SEG 002) - Approve 1st Quarter MATP Report FY 25-26 — Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; outcome: approved (all in favor). (SEG 003) - Approve 1-year HART Extended Warranty for Verity Scan equipment ($2,700) — Motion by Commissioner Bunch; outcome: approved (all in favor). Term: Jan. 18, 2026–Jan. 17, 2027. (SEG 003) - Approve Wessel & Co. invoice for CFO services ($10,987.50) — Motion by Commissioner Wible; outcome: approved (all in favor). (SEG 003) - Approve HART invoice for election ballot programming ($10,599.39) — Motion by Commissioner Bunch; outcome: approved (all in favor). (SEG 003) - Approve Board of Assessment and Revision of Taxes Certification for tax year 2026 — Motion by Commissioner Wible; outcome: approved (all in favor). (SEG 003) - Approve Certification of Computation of Election Results (Nov. 4, 2025) — Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; outcome: approved (all in favor). (SEG 003)

What’s next

Commissioners directed staff to present the tentative 2026 budget at the Nov. 25 meeting for possible adoption and to place a follow-up discussion on a state change to veteran real estate tax exemption and a request for additional Veteran Affairs staff hours on that agenda.