Fulton County commissioners approve $334,397.62 in bills, authorize MATP allocations and external review of prothonotary office

Fulton County commissioners met Feb. 3 and approved routine minutes and financial items while authorizing program allocations and an external review of a county office.

Commissioner Steven L. Wible moved to approve the Jan. 27, 2026 Commissioners' Minutes and Salary Board Minutes; the motions were recorded as "All in favor." Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to approve payroll dated Feb. 6, 2026 totaling $129,990.81 and accounts payable dated Feb. 3, 2026 totaling $334,397.62. The commissioners recorded unanimous approval on those motions. The accounts-payable total was entered on the record with the following fund 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 authorized MATP Allocation Letters for FY 2024–2025 in the amount of $464,875.00 and FY 2025–2026 in the amount of $491,875.00; the two allocations together total $956,750.00. The motion was presented by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann, who authorized Commissioner Wible to execute the letters on behalf of the board. (The transcript lists the items as "MATP Allocation Letters"; the meeting minutes do not spell out the acronym.)

Commissioner Hann also 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 unanimously. Separate minutes are on file for the tax appeal hearing held at 9:20 a.m.; the minutes record that Commissioner Wible abstained from the tax appeal proceeding because of a conflict of interest.

The board approved a travel request for Services for Children Director Christine McQuade and Services for Children Fiscal Technician Stephanie Mellott to attend the PA Children and Youth Administrators Conference March 11–13, 2026 in State College, PA. A laptop quote submitted by Rick Grissinger of Elect IT, to be used in Franklin County for jury coordinator duties, was also approved, as was an invoice from Franklin County Fiscal charging Fulton County $38,819.27 for fourth-quarter 2025 court costs (recorded as 10% of court wages and benefits).

The commissioners entered executive session multiple times during the day: for legal matters at 8:30 a.m. (exited 9:20 a.m.) and for personnel matters at 10:35 a.m. (exited 10:53 a.m.) and again at 1:18 p.m. (exited 1:38 p.m.). The minutes record motions to enter and exit each session and note that interviews for the Prothonotary's Office were conducted by the commissioners, the HR administrator and the chief clerk; no appointment was recorded in the minutes. Commissioner Bunch moved to appoint Commissioner Wible to perform Wible's assigned committee duties when Wible's medical leave begins; that appointment motion was approved unanimously. The meeting recessed at 10:58 a.m. for a CJAB meeting and adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Public comment during the meeting included a request from resident Carolyn Kerlin asking for updates on litigation matters; two other residents, Sandra Barton and Marty Mettille, were recorded as in attendance.

The board approved the January 2026 Retirement Fund Report as presented by HR Administrator Mary Huston; the minutes indicate the report was executed and filed. Several items are noted as having separate or supporting minutes on file (the tax appeal hearing and some personnel matters).