Fulton County commissioners approve 2026 pay scale, hire Enforcement Officer and adopt Franklin/Fulton Drug & Alcohol grant

Fulton County commissioners met Jan. 13, 2026, in McConnellsburg and approved a series of routine administrative measures including the county’s 2026 pay scale, the hire of a Domestic Relations enforcement officer and a multi-county Drug & Alcohol grant agreement.

Commissioner Randy H. Bunch, chair, presided over the meeting with Commissioners Steven L. Wible and Hervey P. Hann and Chief Clerk Stacey M. Shives recorded as present. Interim County Treasurer Amy Bishop presented a report on accounts for the month ending Dec. 31, 2025.

Domestic Relations Director Tina Gress requested authorization to fill a vacant Enforcement Officer 1 position. Commissioner Bunch moved to hire Angie Horton to that union position effective Jan. 26, 2026; the motion passed unanimously. A brief Salary Board meeting established Horton’s salary per the collective bargaining agreement, with separate minutes on file.

Executive Development Director Julie Dovey asked the board to approve the 2025–2030 Franklin/Fulton Grant Agreement (#4100101172) with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs, which designates Franklin County as the single county authority for administration of regional drug-and-alcohol services. Commissioner Bunch moved to approve and execute the agreement; the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to adopt the 2026 pay scale as presented by HR Administrator Mary Huston and to approve a revision to the HR Manual (Section 212) establishing an opt-out payment for eligible employees who waive county health insurance. The opt-out payment is set at up to $1,020 per calendar year ($85 per month), pro-rated for the portion of the year waived; the payment is to be made with the final December payroll or upon resignation and requires employees to leave in good standing to receive the payment. Both actions passed unanimously.

The board approved routine disbursements and vendor invoices, including accounts payable dated Jan. 13, 2026 totaling $135,622.38 (Fund 100 General Fund $66,644.09; Fund 300 Capital Projects $64,720.44; and other funds as listed), a CCAP PCoRP second-installment invoice for $45,442.00, and a SAP&DC invoice for $8,598.00.

Commissioners approved an Application for Burial Expenses for veteran Floyd G. McGinnis, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1968, with payment to be made to his surviving spouse, Janet McGinnis. The board also approved a renewal quote for ASPIRE two-factor authentication submitted by Rick Grissinger (Elect IT) and revised the LERTA application language to require inspection by the Zoning Officer or Fulton County Planning.

On county real estate matters, the board accepted Ronald Richards as the real estate agent for the property at 119 N. 2nd Street, McConnellsburg, at a commission rate of 3% of the total sales price.

Throughout the meeting the commissioners entered several executive sessions for personnel or legal matters (announced and time-stamped) and adjourned at 11:33 a.m.

Votes at a glance: - Approve accounts payable dated Jan. 13, 2026 (Total $135,622.38): Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; result: approved, all in favor. - Hire Angie Horton, Enforcement Officer 1, Domestic Relations (effective Jan. 26, 2026): Motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch; result: approved, all in favor. - Approve Franklin/Fulton Grant Agreement #4100101172 (2025–2030): Motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch; result: approved, all in favor. - Adopt 2026 pay scale and approve HR Manual opt-out revision (Section 212): Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; result: approved, all in favor. - Approve CCAP PCoRP invoice, 2nd installment ($45,442.00): Motion by Commissioner Steven L. Wible; result: approved, all in favor. - Approve Application for Burial Expenses for Floyd G. McGinnis: Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; result: approved, all in favor. - Approve ASPIRE two-factor authentication renewal quote: Motion by Commissioner Steven L. Wible; result: approved, all in favor. - Revise LERTA application to require inspection by Zoning Officer or Fulton County Planning: Motion by Commissioner Hervey P. Hann; result: approved, all in favor. - Approve SAP&DC invoice ($8,598.00) and accept Ronald Richards as real estate agent for 119 N. 2nd Street at 3% commission: Motion by Commissioner Randy H. Bunch; result: approved, all in favor.

The meeting record notes multiple executive-session entries concerning legal and personnel matters; the board announced the sessions and provided start/stop times but did not disclose details during the public meeting.