Fulton County commissioners adopt 2026 budget with no tax increase, approve BFJRA amendments and $230,699 state grant

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 30, 2025 adopted the county’s fiscal 2026 budget with no tax increase and approved a series of routine resolutions, appointments and grants affecting public safety and county operations.

Commissioner Steven L. Wible moved to adopt the proposed 2026 budget after Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed and CFO Mike Lamb presented it; Reed said there were no changes since the budget’s public advertisement. The board approved the budget by voice vote; the record states "All in favor." The meeting record does not list individual roll-call votes.

The budget action followed several administrative items. Commissioners approved minutes from the Dec. 23 meeting and accounts payable dated Dec. 30, 2025 totaling $112,913.87, with $98,764.92 charged to the General Fund and $14,148.95 to Debt Service.

County commissioners also approved two resolutions from the Bedford Fulton Joint Recreation Authority. Resolution 9 of 2025 authorizes an amendment to the Authority’s articles of incorporation to increase the number of board members, and Resolution 10 of 2025 authorizes an amendment to permit the Authority to appoint police officers who would have the same rights as other Commonwealth police with respect to Authority property. Commissioner Wible moved to approve and execute both resolutions; the minutes record the motions as carried "All in favor." Following those approvals, the board appointed Craig Cutchall to a one-year term on the Bedford Fulton Joint Recreational Authority, with a term expiration of Jan. 3, 2027.

The board also approved Resolution 8 of 2025, described in the minutes as the "Tax Levy and Appropriation Resolution," with no increase in taxes for fiscal year 2026. Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to approve and execute the resolution; the minutes record the motion as carried "All in favor."

On public-safety infrastructure, EMA/911 Director Brian Barton reviewed a State Interconnectivity Grant. The board approved the grant in the amount of $230,699.51; the minutes specify the funds are to be used toward SouthCentral Mountain CAD Maintenance, SouthCentral Mountain CHE Maintenance, SouthCentral Mountain ESInet Maintenance, Fulton NG911 GIS Maintenance, SouthCentral Mountain Battery Upgrade, and Fulton ILEC Maintenance. Commissioner Wible moved to approve and execute the grant; the record shows unanimous approval.

Other administrative actions: the board approved the December 2025 Pension Report as presented by HR Administrator Mary Huston; approved an agreement to retain Keller Engineer, Inc. for fiscal year 2026 (the board notes Keller Engineer will be formally appointed at the Reorganizational Meeting on Jan. 6, 2026); approved Planning Commission meeting dates for 2026 as presented by Justin Evans for advertisement; and moved to hire Troy Wagaman as a Per Diem 911 Dispatcher effective pending clearances. A brief Salary Board meeting at 9:48 a.m. set the pay for the new dispatcher; the minutes do not list the salary amount.

Commissioner Bunch moved the board into an executive session for personnel matters at 10:01 a.m.; the board exited at 10:29 a.m. The public minutes record the meeting’s adjournment at 11:15 a.m.

The minutes list participants and officials who appeared: Commissioners Randy H. Bunch (chair), Steven L. Wible (vice-chair), Hervey P. Hann; Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives; BFJRA representatives Matthew Wakefield, Paul Johnston and Eric Weisbrod; Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed; CFO Mike Lamb; HR Administrator Mary Huston; EMA/911 Director Brian Barton; Justin Evans; and the newly hired Troy Wagaman.

Next scheduled procedural item noted in the minutes: the board will appoint Keller Engineer at the Reorganizational Meeting on Jan. 6, 2026.