Fulton County commissioners approve payroll, authorize review of Prothonotary's Office and set MATP allocations

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved county payroll of $129,990.81 and $334,397.62 in accounts payable, authorized a legal review of the county Prothonotary's Office and approved two Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) allocation letters totaling $956,750 across FY 2024–2025 and FY 2025–2026.

Commissioner Randy H. Bunch called the meeting to order and opened the floor for public comment. Residents Carolyn Kerlin, Sandra Barton and Marty Mettille attended; Kerlin asked for updates on ongoing litigation matters. No formal action on litigation updates was recorded during the meeting.

In routine business, Commissioner Steven L. Wible moved to approve the Jan. 27, 2026 Commissioners' minutes and the Jan. 27 Salary Board minutes; both motions passed with commissioners recording “All in favor.” Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to approve payroll dated Feb. 6, 2026, for $129,990.81 and to approve accounts payable dated Feb. 3, 2026, totaling $334,397.62. The accounts-payable motion included a fund-level breakdown: General Fund $96,661.78; Liquid Fuels $13.13; HSDF/HSBG $165,835.26; Law Library $724.96; 911 $44,792.44; Domestic Relations $352.92; Debt Service $26,017.13.

The board entered and exited an executive session for legal matters from 8:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. A tax appeal hearing followed at 9:20 a.m.; the transcript notes that Commissioner Wible abstained from that hearing due to a conflict of interest and that separate minutes for the appeal are on file.

After the legal matters, the board approved the January 2026 Retirement Fund Report as presented by HR Administrator Mary Huston. Commissioner Bunch moved to approve travel for Services for Children Director Christine McQuade and Fiscal Technician Stephanie Mellott to attend the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators Conference in State College, March 11–13, 2026.

Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to approve an engagement letter from KB&S — Kulla, Barkdoll & Stewart, P.C. — “to provide professional legal and consulting services related to a review of the Fulton County Prothonotary's Office.” The motion passed with all commissioners recorded as in favor.

The board authorized Commissioner Wible to execute MATP allocation letters in the amounts of $464,875.00 (FY 2024–2025) and $491,875.00 (FY 2025–2026). Commissioner Bunch approved a laptop quote submitted by Rick Grissinger of Elect IT to be used in Franklin County for Jury Coordinator duties. Commissioner Wible moved to approve an invoice from Franklin County Fiscal for Fulton County court costs for the fourth quarter of 2025 in the amount of $38,819.27 (described in the meeting as 10% of court wages and benefits). All of these motions were recorded as passing with commissioners indicating “All in favor.”

The board held two executive sessions for personnel matters (10:35–10:53 a.m. and 1:18–1:38 p.m.). Following the morning personnel session, Commissioner Bunch moved to appoint Commissioner Wible to perform his committee duties when medical leave begins; that motion passed. In the afternoon, the commissioners, the HR Administrator and Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives conducted interviews for the Prothonotary's Office. The meeting recessed at 10:58 a.m. for a Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) meeting and adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Approve Jan. 27, 2026 Commissioners' Minutes: motion by Commissioner Steven L. Wible — approved (All in favor). - Approve Jan. 27, 2026 Salary Board Minutes: motion by Commissioner Steven L. Wible — approved (All in favor). - Approve Payroll (Feb. 6, 2026) $129,990.81: motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved (All in favor). - Approve Accounts Payable (Feb. 3, 2026) $334,397.62 (fund breakdown noted): motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved (All in favor). - Enter/Exit executive session (legal): motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved (All in favor). - Retirement Fund Report (Jan. 2026): motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved (All in favor). - Travel to PA Children and Youth Administrators Conference (Mar. 11–13, 2026): motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved (All in favor). - Engagement letter to KB&S for Prothonotary review: motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved (All in favor). - Authorize MATP allocation letters ($464,875.00 and $491,875.00): motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved (All in favor). - Approve laptop quote (Elect IT) for Jury Coordinator duties in Franklin County: motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved (All in favor). - Approve Franklin County Fiscal invoice $38,819.27: motion by Commissioner Steven L. Wible — approved (All in favor). - Enter/Exit executive session (personnel): motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved (All in favor). - Appoint Commissioner Wible to perform committee duties during his medical leave: motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved (All in favor).

The meeting record notes that separate minutes are on file for the tax appeal hearing and other sessions where the transcript references separate minutes. The commissioners directed several administrative actions (travel approvals, engagement letter, equipment purchase and intercounty invoice payment) and continued personnel work including interviews for the Prothonotary's Office. The meeting was submitted by Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives.