PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
UTILITIES BUDGET … Public Utilities Director Randy Mahlman gave a budget update to the commissioners during the Thursday morning meeting.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Commissioners met for their regular session on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an opening prayer and roll call with all commissioners present.
Commissioners first approved minutes from the October 28 meeting and then accepted the day’s agenda as presented.
Old business opened with a review of the Fulton County Health Department’s inspection report for the county’s Transfer Facility.
Conducted by Patricia Wiemken on October 23, the inspection included the facility on County Road 14 as well as its related records office.
No apparent violations were found in any category, and operations were deemed in full compliance with Ohio Administrative Code regulations.
Also reviewed was correspondence from the Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission concerning the 2026-2027 Community Services Block Grant. NOCAC is applying for $808,810 in funding to support programs such as PATH, Rapid Rehousing, Emergency Shelter, and other services benefiting Fulton and surrounding counties.
Under new business, commissioners reviewed an office closure notice from the Fulton County Municipal Court, which confirmed both Western and Eastern District offices will close for Veterans Day on November 11, as well as for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Resolution 2025-736 followed, approving an increase and transfer of appropriations for multiple departments.
Increases included $25,000 for professional services within the Opioid fund, $15,000 for the Auditor’s Office OPERS line, $750 for Veterans Services other expenses, and $10,250 for professional services within the Commissioners’ budget.
A $5,000 transfer within the Probate Court budget was also approved, moving funds from the “Other Expenses” line to the “Visiting Judge” account.
Several related communications accompanied the resolution, including the Auditor’s request for the additional $15,000 due to early retirement payouts, the Veterans Service Office’s request for a $750 increase from donations, and the Probate Court’s written transfer request submitted by Judge Bumb.
The commissioners’ office also noted a $10,250 contract with Maximus Consulting Services for the county’s cost allocation plan.
Later discussion touched on correspondence from Beth Thomas of the Fulton County Health Department requesting continued funding for the HC3 youth-substance-prevention program, which previously received $25,000 from the county in 2024.
Randy Mahlman, Director of the Public Utilities Department, presented its 2026 budget during Thursday’s session, outlining a series of technology upgrades, maintenance plans, and system improvements across Fulton County’s infrastructure.
The department currently operates three vehicles. One, driven by Fred, is the newest and was acquired from the Dog Warden’s Office. Another, used as a spare vehicle with approximately 199,000 miles, is driven as needed, while a third vehicle used by John has surpassed 201,000 miles and has begun to experience radiator issues. Officials plan to rotate these vehicles out as they reach 200,000 miles to maintain reliability.
A major item in the proposed budget includes a $5,000 alarm upgrade system for the airport pump station.
The upgrade will synchronize with existing systems at the initial discharge and Burlington pump stations, allowing all four major stations, including the Pettisville location, to be monitored in real time.
Once completed, the only remaining site to bring into compliance will be the Pleasant View station.
“These upgrades will allow us to see real-time data from every pump station,” Mahlman explained. “We’ll know exactly when a pump is running, how it’s performing, and receive instant alerts by text or email if something goes wrong.”
Electrical improvements are also being considered at the industrial discharge site, with final specifications still under review.
Additionally, the department is planning a water study with Arcadis to analyze flow and pressure system wide. The project, previously quoted between $32,000 and $36,000, will begin once new GIS mapping is complete.
The county recently purchased GIS equipment to catalog manholes, valves, and water mains, ensuring all data is available before the study begins.
The department also reported a financial concern within the county’s transportation operations, noting a loss of $28,391.80 as of the previous day. The shortfall was attributed primarily to a drop in ridership, with roughly 3,000 fewer trips compared to last year.
“We’re averaging about one passenger every 20 to 25 minutes,” said Mahlman. “Our costs are in line with similar services across the region; it’s just a matter of adjusting hours or days to increase efficiency.”
The department is exploring changes to operating days, possibly shifting to a Thursday-through-Saturday schedule to concentrate service during higher-demand periods. Staffing and building usage will also be evaluated to improve productivity during slower hours.
In closing, the department reported ongoing work at the landfill, including weed control, maintenance around the lagoon area, and testing related to leachate management.
“With the automation and mapping upgrades we’re working on, I’ll be able to handle more tasks remotely and spend less time manually checking systems,” Mahlman said.
Dog Warden Brian Banister presented his 2026 budget, reporting a stable year ahead with no major changes anticipated to operations or expenses.
The only notable project involves scheduled refurbishing work on the department’s incinerator, which remains in use but requires maintenance attention.
The service provider, based in Texas, plans to complete the work as part of a multi-state route that will also include stops in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
By coordinating Fulton County’s service visit into that same route, the department expects significant savings.
“They’re going to make a loop instead of making a special trip here,” the warden explained. “That brings the cost down from around $7,500 to about $4,500.”
The maintenance is expected to be completed yet this fall, before the end of the year. Aside from that, no major building or vehicle expenses are anticipated.
The office’s current fleet is in good condition, and daily operations are expected to mirror those of 2025.
As for dog licenses, the department reported consistent sales with no notable increase or decline forecasted for the coming year. “We’re expecting about the norm,” the warden said. “Nothing major either way, just steady.”
With nothing further, the meeting was adjourned at 9:26 a.m.
