The Hancock County Commission will submit a report assessing how the departments in the Courthouse are adhering to the current budget. The report will be available to the public and the media at the Commissioners’ meeting second meeting of every month. The 2026 Budget Responsibility Commitment, agreed upon March 27, 2025 and signed by all three commissioners, states the following:
The commitment seeks to align all department budget within “a reasonable and proper range” as required by the State Auditor.
The County will begin to restore the rainy-day funds to the $3 million level seen prior to this year and commit to a floor of $1 million.
The County will create and budget for a savings account, requiring at least .01% of the county budget to be saved annually to provide for future opportunities.
The County will develop a strategic plan to reduce dependency on unstable revenue sources such as video lottery money.
The County will continue to provide 100% paid medical premiums for employees by adjusting its budget annually to align with a 5-year cost projection for providing medica coverage.
The County will receive in writing when the Sheriff’s Office follows the Criminal Justice Policy instead of the Hancock County policy, both in financial and operational matters.
Receive in writing from the Sheriff’s Dept. a written comp time policy, with a dedicated budget line ensuring all accrued time is accounted for. This is a large amount and can be implemented over two years.
The Sheriff’s office will hire a collection agency to recover unpaid, personal property taxes, ensuring the county recieves all due revenue to support operations.
2026-& 2027 – All VFD’s funded at $44,000 per year, County Departments through general revenue and New Cumberland and Chester through special projects funds. We will collaborate with associations and municipalities to explore options for a county-only levy, a countywide levy, or municipal fees to establish a voter-approved, appropriate and reliable funding source for fire response.
In other business, the Commissioners:
**Approved a document which gives CEMCO, concessionaire for Kennedy Marina, the ability to opt out of the contract if a license if not received within 3 years.
**Approved advertising for two summer interns for the WVU Extension Office;
**Discussed burial guidelines pertaining to monuments after they have been placed;
**Awarded the bid for the replacement of the Panic Alert System in the Courthouse;
**Approved a supplemental benefit to accompany the county’s enrollment in PEIA’s Plan C;
**Approved advertising for a Deputy Clerk in the Circuit Clerk’s office to fill a vacancy;
**Approved Emilee Troutman’s moving from a full-time to part-time employee in the Circuit Clerk’s office;
**Approved travel for Commissioner Paul Cowey for $672.88 and Tommy Ogden $384.21;
**Learned General County bills are $178,47.64 and purchasing card cost is $76,517.32.
The Commission will meet again May 23, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.
