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.
Commissioners received a 2025 annual report from 4-H-WVU Extension Agent Zach White who said that he had focused on presenting programs in the schools this year. Two new 4-H clubs were formed this year: one in Newell and one in Weirton. The clubs are also active in taking care of a county or city park in conjunction with the Master Gardeners this year.
In other business, the Commission:
**Voted to accept Melissa Wallace’s resignation from the Parks & Recreation Board;
**Agreed to advertise for a seat on the Tomlinson Public Service District Board;
**Accepted Elizabeth Johnson from the County Clerk’s office;
**Accepted Kayla Welshan’s resignation from the County Clerk’s office;
**Approved paying Johnson for her accrued vacation and personal days totaling 56 hour;
**Approved the appointed people to assist with the Primary Election. This will be for Election Day as well as early voting;
**Accepted the resignation of Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michael Kuhn;
**Approved advertising for Kuhn’s position;*
**Reported $115,785.16 in general county bills and $27,451.04 in purchasing card bills;
**Approved $114.04 in travel expenses for Commissioner Paul Cowey;
**Announced that the next regular meeting of the Commission is March 26,2026.
