Hancock County Commission met Thursday prior to its regular meeting to discuss its budget. While the Commission room was packed, no one from the print media had been advised of the workshop. The Commission remains split on a 2 to 1 vote on w.hether the Sheriff’s Office is subject to a 15% budget reduction, While Commission Tommy Ogden voted for the 15% reduction last year as part of a two-year plan, Ogden said as a new commissioner he was misled on the budget. Commissioners Cowey and Chek are in favor of the 15% reduction while Cowey favors looking at other accounts such as the rainy day fund which still has over $1 million it in and the Opioid settlement which other counties have used for the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Scott Gittings has said his department cannot sustain another 15 cut. He currently has lost 2 deputies who departed for other opportunities and his ability to cover the county is being marginalized.
