JOB AND FAMILY … One order of business during the first meeting of the year included signing a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Job and Family Services.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Commissioners met for their regular session on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an opening prayer and roll call. Commissioners then approved the minutes from the December 30, 2025, meeting and adopted the January 6 agenda.
As part of the organizational business for 2026, commissioners formally organized the board for the year, confirming leadership roles and approving a wide range of appointments and designations.
This included naming the board president (Joe Short) and vice president (Jon Rupp), as well as assigning commissioners to serve as representatives on numerous local, regional, and statewide boards, committees, and advisory groups.
These appointments ensure Fulton County representation in areas such as transportation planning, solid waste management, economic development, emergency management, and various statewide associations throughout the year.
Commissioners next addressed zoning-related matters, reviewing and approving zoning resolutions and amendments that had been properly submitted and recorded by the Fulton County Recorder’s Office.
The board confirmed that the filings met Ohio Revised Code requirements, allowing the zoning actions to move forward without the need for refiling or additional corrections.
Roadway administration was also addressed, with commissioners approving the 2025 road mileage certification.
The certification confirmed the total number of miles of public roads maintained by the county and reflected changes resulting from annexations and technical corrections submitted by the county engineer.
This certification will be forwarded to the Ohio Department of Transportation for official record-keeping and funding considerations.
The board then designated Fulton County’s official voting representative and alternate to the County Commissioners Association of Ohio for 2026.
This action ensures the county’s continued participation in statewide policy discussions and voting matters that impact county government operations.
Several administrative and operational resolutions followed, including departmental appropriations, use of reserve accounts, and routine administrative purchases.
Commissioners also approved food and fuel purchasing authorizations and travel-related expenses, allowing county offices and departments to continue normal operations at the start of the new fiscal year.
Commissioners also approved Resolution 2026-011, authorizing an Oversight Memorandum of Understanding with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).
The resolution permits Fulton County to enter into agreements for the purpose of providing required fiscal and program oversight related to public assistance and human services operations administered at the county level.
Under the resolution, the board approved execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure compliance with state oversight requirements, including monitoring, reporting, and accountability measures tied to state and federally funded programs overseen by ODJFS.
The agreement establishes the framework for cooperation between Fulton County and the state agency and allows continued eligibility for funding and program administration under Ohio law.
The resolution authorizes the appropriate county officials to execute all necessary documents associated with the agreement and confirms that the oversight arrangement is consistent with existing statutory obligations placed on counties administering job and family services programs.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m.