The City of Chester has put the 1% Racetrack Video Lottery funds towards much needed projects since the Legislature reduced Hancock County’s allocation from 2% to 1% in 2023. While the county has dealt with a reduced budget, the financially struggling communities of Chester and New Cumberland have had the opportunity to address much needed projects. Chester receives approximately $7,500.00 per week from the revenue according to City Clerk Tara Ayers and was able to purchase a Police cruiser and do work on the sewer system and the drains. She anticipates the funds to be used for infrastructure in the future.
Whether Chester and New Cumberland keep that allocation, however, depends on whether Hancock County Commissions seek to have their allocation returned to its original level of 2%. Commissioners were able to meet their budget in the current fiscal year by tapping it’s Rainy Day Fund to maintain current services and avoid layoffs. Whether that would be an option to close the budget gap next year is questionable.
With the 2025 legislative session slated to begin in February, legislation could be introduced on behalf of Hancock County to return their allocation to the original level of 2 %. The 1 % could be taken from the municipalities in Hancock County, but pitting the County and the municipalities against each other is unwise. One would think that the 1% could be garnered from the 46.5 % allocated to Mountaineer.
Meetings over the issue will surely be held in January prior to the start of the Legislative Session. Let’s hope the participants in those meetings look beyond the municipalities when looking to restore the County’s allocation
