Fulton County commissioners approve pay scale, hire Enforcement Officer and adopt health insurance opt-out payment

Fulton County Commissioners on Jan. 13 approved a series of routine and personnel actions, including the hiring of an Enforcement Officer for the Domestic Relations office, adoption of a 2026 pay scale, and a new health insurance opt-out payment for eligible employees.

Commissioner Randy H. Bunch called the meeting to order and announced there were no public comments. Interim County Treasurer Amy Bishop provided the board with an account report for the month ending Dec. 31, 2025. On a motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann, the board approved accounts payable dated Jan. 13 totaling $135,622.38, which included $66,644.09 to the General Fund and $64,720.44 to Capital Projects.

Domestic Relations Director Tina Gress asked the board to fill a vacant Enforcement Officer 1 position. Commissioner Bunch moved to hire Angie Horton for the union position, effective Jan. 26, 2026; the board approved the hire and the Salary Board later set the salary per the collective bargaining agreement.

Executive Development Director Julie Dovey requested and the board approved the 2025–2030 Franklin/Fulton Grant Agreement (No. 4100101172) designating Franklin County as the single county authority to administer the Drug & Alcohol Program in the two counties. Commissioner Bunch moved to approve the agreement and the motion carried.

HR Administrator Mary Huston presented personnel policy updates. The board approved the 2026 county pay scale and adopted a revision to Section 212 of the HR Manual establishing an employee opt-out payment for health insurance. The policy text states: "Opt-out of health insurance: Effective January 1, 2026, any eligible employee waiving health insurance coverage will receive a monetary payment that is pro-rated according to what is waived for that year. The maximum amount paid in a calendar year will be $1,020 ($85/month). The waiting period will be excluded when calculating payment. This opt-out will be paid with the final payroll in December or upon your resignation. You must leave in good standing in order to receive this payment." The board approved the policy on a motion by Commissioner Hann.

The board approved several vendor payments and renewals, including the second installment for CCAP PCoRP ($45,442.00), SAP&DC local county/transportation support ($8,598.00), and a renewal quote for ASPIRE two-factor authentication submitted by Rick Grissinger. Commissioners also approved a revision to the LERTA application to require inspection by the zoning officer or Fulton County planning.

The commissioners approved an application for burial expenses for veteran Floyd G. McGinnis (U.S. Air Force, 1964–1968), with payment to surviving spouse Janet McGinnis, and accepted Ronald Richards as the real estate agent for the county property at 119 N. 2nd Street, McConnellsburg, with a 3% commission. The meeting included multiple short executive sessions on legal and personnel matters; the board adjourned at 11:33 a.m.

Votes at a glance: motions were made across the meeting for executive sessions, approval of minutes, accounts payable ($135,622.38), hire of Angie Horton (effective Jan. 26, 2026), execution of Grant Agreement No. 4100101172 for the Franklin/Fulton Drug & Alcohol Program, certification of county funds for 2026, notification timing for hotel/motel tax applications, approval of the 2026 pay scale and HR Manual opt-out language, CCAP PCoRP (second installment, $45,442.00), SAP&DC invoice ($8,598.00), ASPIRE two-factor authentication renewal, LERTA application revision, burial expense for Floyd G. McGinnis, acceptance of Ronald Richards as real estate agent (3% commission), and adjournment. All recorded motions were approved "all in favor."