Fulton County commissioners reaffirm public defender's 40-hour salary, approve festival lease and several contracts

Fulton County commissioners on Tuesday approved routine minutes, payroll and bills, reaffirmed the county public defender's 40-hour weekly salary effective Jan. 1, 2026, and approved a park lease and multiple county contracts.

Commissioner Randy H. Bunch, chairman, opened the Feb. 17 meeting and recorded attendance including Commissioner Steven L. Wible, vice-chairman; Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; and Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives. The board voted unanimously to approve the Feb. 10, 2026 minutes and to authorize payroll dated Feb. 20, 2026 for $126,643.71 and accounts payable dated Feb. 17, 2026 for $115,002.69. The accounts-payable total included Fund 100 (General Fund) $87,536.62, Fund 201 (Liquid Fuels) $3,847.31, Fund 227 (SFC Technology Grant) $374.72, Fund 231 (SFC Evidence Based Practice) $30.30, Fund 235 (Law Library) $3,327.00, Fund 238 (911) $13,246.68, Fund 240 (Hazmat) $46.03 and Fund 400 (Debt Service) $6,594.03.

The board met with Public Defender Phil Harper and Administrative Assistant Cheryl Deshong to review office matters related to hours worked under the Indigent Defense Grant. Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to reaffirm that the public defender's salary will reflect a 40-hour workweek as of Jan. 1, 2026; the motion carried with all commissioners voting in favor.

Following a personnel executive session, the commissioners approved a McConnell Park lease submitted by the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism for the Strawberry Festival to be held June 11-13, 2026. The board also approved a contract with CES Engineering, LLC for engineering services at the Warfordsburg Senior Center CDBG project not to exceed $15,000, and retroactively authorized Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives to sign a CDBG Exempt Status Determination and Mitigation Measures and Conditions form.

After a legal executive session, the board approved a $6,467.15 purchase of office furniture for the Domestic Relations Department at the request of Domestic Relations Director Tina Gress; the purchase is to be funded by the Title IV-D Incentive Account. The board also approved an invoice from Wessel & Company for CFO services for January 2026 in the amount of $4,340.00. A proposed contract with Pressley Ridge for services for children was tabled until more information is gathered.

The meeting adjourned at 11:22 a.m. All recorded motions passed by unanimous vote of the three commissioners present.