Fulton County commissioners adopt 2026 tentative budget, approve personnel changes and routine payments

FULTON COUNTY, Pa. — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, and voted unanimously to adopt the county's 2026 tentative budget while approving a slate of personnel and administrative actions, routine payables and small grants.

Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to adopt the tentative budget as presented by CFO Mike Lamb and Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed; the board approved the motion 3-0. The board set final adoption for Dec. 30, 2025. The tentative budget was presented at the meeting and will be subject to final review and a subsequent vote on the scheduled date.

The commissioners also approved a set of personnel and administrative changes. Commissioners accepted a proposal from HR Administrator Mary Huston to amend Section 212, "Employee Benefits," of the county HR Manual and directed Huston to return with final language for formal approval. Separately, the board approved making Veterans Affairs Director Richard Newman eligible for full-time benefits by classifying his work as the equivalent of 30 hours per week, citing additional state-assigned duties related to the Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption.

Routine minutes, payroll and payables were cleared by unanimous votes. The board approved the Nov. 18, 2025 commissioners' meeting minutes; payroll dated Nov. 28, 2025 in the amount of $125,126.16; and payables dated Nov. 28, 2025 totaling $674,010.68. The payables listing in the meeting record includes the General Fund ($213,274.44), HSDF/HSBG ($299,742.00), CDBG ($87,108.88) and several smaller fund lines.

Other approved administrative actions included retroactive authorization for Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives to electronically sign Krivak Trust documents tied to the Treasurer's Office transition and retroactive approval of a travel request by Shives. The board authorized Interim Treasurer Amy Bishop to obtain a county credit card for the Treasurer's Office and approved a CCAP PCoRP final installment contribution of $45,442.00 (bringing total contribution to $151,474.00).

Contract and vendor payments approved at the meeting included payments for William Penn Printing ($4,487.70), Elect IT Solutions for December IT staffing and support ($9,854.00), a HART license and support invoice ($11,815.00), and ePayment Now collections for dog licenses ($2,363.50). The board also approved the county's 1st Quarter Certification Statement for Services for Children and an amended Title IV-D Attorney Contract for Domestic Relations.

A bid opening for the sale of 119 North Second Street in McConnellsburg, scheduled for 9 a.m., drew no bids and no award was made. The board also approved Conservation District reappointment letters for Gene Mellott and Mark Knepper and approved a request from the Fulton County Association of Township Officials to plant a commemorative tree on the courthouse lawn in connection with America250PA events. The board authorized Marty Mettille to serve as Fulton County's advisor for America250PA events and directed that a letter be sent to Kelly Leighton, Director of Strategic Partnerships at America250PA.

The board approved a Wellness Improvement Program grant application requesting $1,769.60 to reimburse drinking water purchases and to acquire an automated external defibrillator for the county's newly purchased building at 101 Lincoln Way West, McConnellsburg. Commissioners noted a separate Election Board meeting held at 10:51 a.m. and adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

Votes at a glance

- Amend Nov. 25 agenda to add Board of Elections meeting, 2026 tentative budget and America250PA letter: motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved 3-0. - Approve Nov. 18, 2025 meeting minutes: motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved 3-0. - Approve Payroll dated Nov. 28, 2025 ($125,126.16): motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved 3-0. - Approve Retirement Board minutes (Nov. 4 and Nov. 18) and Salary Board minutes (Nov. 18): motions recorded — approved 3-0. - Approve Payables dated Nov. 28, 2025 ($674,010.68): motion recorded — approved 3-0. - Enter executive session for legal matters at 8:06 a.m.; exit at 8:41 a.m.: motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved 3-0. - Accept HR Administrator proposal to amend HR Manual Section 212: motion by Commissioner Steven L. Wible — approved 3-0. - Approve Veterans Affairs Director Richard Newman as FTE equivalent (30 hrs/wk): motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved 3-0. - Bid opening for 119 N. Second St., McConnellsburg — no bids presented. - Approve Conservation District reappointments (Gene Mellott, Mark Knepper): motion by Commissioner Steven L. Wible — approved 3-0. - Retroactive approvals for Chief Clerk Stacey Shives (Krivak Trust signatory; travel request): motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved 3-0. - Approve tree planting request from Fulton County Association of Township Officials: motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved 3-0. - Approve 1st Quarter Certification Statement for Services for Children: motion recorded — approved 3-0. - Approve amended Title IV-D Attorney Contract for Domestic Relations: motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved 3-0. - Adopt 2026 tentative budget (final adoption scheduled Dec. 30, 2025): motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved 3-0. - Authorize Marty Mettille as America250PA advisor; send letter to Kelly Leighton: motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved 3-0. - Approve vendor invoices and payments (William Penn Printing $4,487.70; Elect IT Solutions $9,854.00; HART $11,815.00; ePayment Now $2,363.50): motions recorded — approved 3-0. - Authorize Interim County Treasurer Amy Bishop to obtain a county credit card: motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved 3-0. - Approve CCAP PCoRP final installment contribution $45,442.00 (total $151,474.00): motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved 3-0. - Approve Wellness Improvement Program grant application requesting $1,769.60 (drinking water reimbursement and AED): motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann — approved 3-0. - Adjourn at 11:45 a.m.: motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch — approved 3-0.

Context and significance

The meeting mainly processed routine administrative and fiscal business and several personnel actions. The tentative budget adoption begins the formal budget process, with final action set for Dec. 30, 2025. Several small grants and vendor payments were approved to support operations and recent building needs. The record shows unanimous votes on the listed motions.