Fulton County commissioners adopt 2026 bylaws, approve $229,387 in payables and make multiple reappointments

Fulton County commissioners met for their reorganizational session on Jan. 6, 2026, adopting the board's 2026 by-laws, approving $229,387.17 in account payables and $122,828.46 in payroll, and making several reappointments and committee assignments.

Commissioner Randy H. Bunch called the meeting to order. Commissioner Steven L. Wible moved to approve the Dec. 30, 2025 commissioners' meeting minutes and the Dec. 30, 2025 Salary Board minutes; both motions passed unanimously. Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to approve account payables dated Jan. 6, 2026 totaling $229,387.17 and to approve payroll totaling $122,828.46; both motions were approved "All in favor." The payables motion included a fund-by-fund breakdown provided in the minutes.

The payables breakdown recorded in the minutes was: Fund 100 (General Fund) $53,157.03; Fund 201 (Liquid Fuels) $13.41; Fund 211 (Independent Living) $12,558.01; Fund 231 (SFC Evidence Based Practice) $12,650.30; Fund 235 (Law Library) $2,637.72; Fund 238 (911) $11,326.59; Fund 262 (Act 13 Marcellus Shale Recreational) $7,000.00; Fund 300 (Capital Projects) $75,662.44; Fund 400 (Debt Service) $28,783.34; Fund 804 (Krivak Trust Fund) $25,598.33, totaling $229,387.17.

Interim County Treasurer Amy Bishop and Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed met briefly with the commissioners to provide updates on the Treasurer's Office prior to the board's governance actions.

On governance matters, Commissioner Bunch moved to adopt the 2026 Board of Commissioners by-laws pursuant to the County Code and the Act of Aug. 9, 1955 (16 Purdon, Sections 503 and 509, as amended); that motion was approved unanimously. The board also approved reappointments to the Bedford Fulton Joint Recreation Authority (BFJRA): Eric Weisbrod (term to Jan. 1, 2029), Paul Johnston (term to Jan. 6, 2030) and Greg Henry (term to Jan. 5, 2031) to stagger terms.

Commissioner Hann moved to reappoint a slate of county officials for 2026, including Solicitor Jim Stein (DSS Law), Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives, Tax Claim Bureau Director Amy Bishop, Chief Assessor Melissa Gordon, Sealer of Weights & Measures (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture), Director of Veterans' Affairs Richard Newman and county engineers Keller Engineers and CES Engineering. Commissioner Wible moved and the board approved reappointing Amy Bishop as Interim County Treasurer for 2026.

The board designated commissioner representation to standing committees and advisory boards for 2026, including the Permanent Salary Board, the County Treasurer Retirement Board, the Assessment Appeals Board, the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission (SAPDC) committees, rural transportation committees (RTCC/RTTC), Franklin/Fulton advisory boards, the Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance (TMCA), and others. The minutes list specific assignments and alternates, including Commissioner Bunch as chair of the Board of Tax Revision and Assessment and named representatives for SAPDC committees.

On other business, Commissioner Hann moved to approve an RBA invoice of $7,957.31; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Bunch moved to appoint Michael Beatty as chairman of the Farmland Agricultural Land Preservation Board for 2026. The minutes note that the commissioners held their annual reorganizational meetings for the Salary and Retirement Boards at 9:00 a.m.; separate minutes for those meetings are on file.

The meeting adjourned at 10:37 a.m. on a motion by Commissioner Hann. All recorded motions in the minutes carried with the notation "All in favor."