271  Meeting of the Fulton County Commissioners Tuesday, October 31, 2023 8:30a.m. at the Commissioners' Office  FMB EDNDH EATINA  Present: Commissioner Ulsh, Commissioner Bunch and Commissioner Shives Guests: John Greathead, Coy Hill, Brenda Hill, Carolyn Kerlin, Sue Powell, Doug Powell, John Carpenter, Joan Carpenter, Gary Pilkerton, Wayne Helsel and Brad Wissinger Chairman Ulsh opened the meeting with silent prayer and all recited the Pledge of Allegiance to Commissioner Ulsh opened up the floor for Public Comment Period. Several guests addressed the Commissioners on the topic of the ongoing litigation oft the Dominion Voting Machines. John Carpenter who was listed on the agenda at 9:00 a.m. also spoke during Public Comment Motion by Commissioner Bunch to approve the Commissioners Minutes of the October 24, Motion by Commissioner Bunch to approve the Accounts Payables dated October 30, 2023 in  the flag.  Period and addressed his concerns. 2023 meeting. All in favor.  the amount of $180,818.02. All in favor. Fund 100 General Fund Fund 201 Liquid Fuels Fund 229 HSDFIHSBG Fund 238 911 Fund 256 Domestic Relations Fund 262 Act 13 Marcellus Shale Recreational Fund 275 Medical Assistance Transportation Fund 400 Debt Service  102,275.89 $0.00 $102,275.89 11.25 15,106.37 1,302.85 72.00 1,000.00 31,616.00 29,433.66 $180,818.02  Manual Checks TOTAL GENERAL FUND  TOTAL ALL FUNDS  Motion by Commissioner Shives to approve Payroll dated November 3, 2023 in the amount of Commissioners met with County Auditors Penny Kipp, Holly Falkosky and Margaret Kobel for an Annual Audit Review. The auditors presented a report fori the fiscal year ending December: 31, 2022  $113,508.61. All in favor.    272  noting that they filed the DCED report online and published a notice int the Fulton County News. The full reporti is also on the county website. The auditors shared some information that they learned from attending the 60th Annual Pennsylvania State Auditor's Convention October 1-4, 2023. Margaret Kobel was thanked for her service ofi four years to the county since she will not be returning as an auditor in 2024. Also in attendance was Fiscal Administrator Lisa Beatty. Motion by Commissioner Bunch to authorize Commissioner Ulsh to sign the Certification Form for the Opioid' Trust Distributions for 2023 certifying that "Settlement funds received by the County of Fulton will be used in a manner consistent with the abatement uses described in Exhibit E of the settlements and all other terms of the settlements". All ini favor. Motion by Commissioner Ulsh to adopt Ordinance No. 10 of 2023, "an ordinance authorizing tax exemptions from property tax for certain deteriorated industrial, commercial or other business property; defining eligible, deteriorated areas; setting a maximum exemption amount and an exemption schedule; and providing a procedure for securing an exemption", Motion by Commissioner Shives to approve an application for burial expenses of a deceased service person, Foster Park, tol be payable to his Next of Kin- Daughter, Patty. Jo Hunsinger. Park was a Veteran of the Korean War and resident of Fulton County fori the past 93 years. Motion by Commissioner Bunch to approve the Final Payment Application to Antares Site Work in the amount of $21,335.26 fori the Probation Office Steps Project as recommended from the Keller Engineer's Letter stating that they have reviewed the application. The project was funded under the PCOMP and PCorP Safety Grant Program. All in favor. Commissioners signed the October 2023 Retirement Fund Report and the Tax Assessment Appeals Hearing Minutes from October 3rd and 24th of 2023. Commissioner Shives signed the Commissioners met with HR. Administrator Mary Huston to review and approve the new hire for the Prothonotary's Office and to discuss the vacant position for MDJ Horne's Office. Motion by Commissioner Shives to hire April McLaurin to fill the full time position of Office Deputy 1 ini the Prothonotary's Office, effective November 13, 2023. Alli in favor. A brief Salary Board meeting was held at 10:45 a.m. Separate minutes are on file. A lengthy discussion was held between the Commissioners in regards to dismissal of the Law Office of Stefanie L. Lambert PLLL and Attorney Thomas. J. Carroll as Special Counsel to represent the County of Fulton relating to past election matters and election equipment. Motion by Commissioner Shives that Special Counsel be dismissed for the reasons already stated at the October 17, 2023 meeting and that she didn'tt think it was ini the county's best interest and also stated that she feels there is a hidden agenda that is also not int the county's  effective January 1, 2024. All ini favor.  All in favor.  MATP 1st Quarter Report for Period of7 7A/2023-9/30/2025.    273  best interest. Commissioner Ulsh-Opposed; Commissioner Bunch-Opposed. Motion failed on Commissioner Ulsh stated that the reason he opposed dismissing Special Counsel in midstream was that it would be hard to get someone else up to speed on what is going on and that there is no cost to the county to retain them since they are pro bono as opposed to using the County Solicitor. Ulsh further stated that what was done, was done under County Code and it ist the Commissioners responsibility to safeguard, inspect, investigate and report. Ulsh concluded with saying' "Ifeel the most critical thing in life is freedom and who you can elect. Election integrity is everything to me and is high on my agenda. Everybody regardless of affiliation deserves a fair and free election and ift there is an issue, it is the duty of the Election Board to Commissioner Shives stated that she agreed with Commissioner Ulsh pertaining to his quote on freedom and elections, however she did not have any reason to doubt the integrity of the 2020 election. Shives also stated that she felt that Special Counsel had something to do with the thrid party tainting of the voting machine equipment since the money funneled through them. Shives concluded with saying "feel the county isi in a mess and lam trying to do whatlcan to get the county out of the mess, I don't believe you can have inspection of voting machines from two companies with two different results. The voting machines were used in two other Commissioner Bunch stated that his reason for opposing was as stated ini the October 17, 2023 Commissioner's Meeting Minutes which stated "Without election integrity, we have nothing and lwant to keep the attorneys we have due to further litigation and I will answer for thist to  a1-2 vote.  figure it out".  elections, we have tol have trust".  God someday and Iknowldid the right thing".  Motion by Commissioner Shives to adjourn at 1:05 p.m. Alli inf favor.  FULTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  StuarbL.Ulsh, Chair Te RandyH.  Bunch, Vice-Chair Danla Sshhusle  Paula. J. Shives ResgertiulySubmiteg, A Sae  Chief Clerk    274