Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Budget Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents, fire chief and sheriff warn commissioners proposed cuts could reduce emergency services
Summary
At a Hancock County Commission meeting, residents and the Chester fire chief warned that proposed budget reductions could force cuts to fire and sheriff services; county officials said no decisions are final and planning is ongoing.
Hancock County commissioners heard public comments and pleas to avoid steep cuts to emergency services at a regular commission meeting. John Hissom, chief of the Chester fire department, told commissioners the local fire association ‘‘received funds from the commission at approximately $44,000 a year’’ and said cuts already discussed would force service reductions.
The comments came during the meeting’s public-comment period, when residents and department leaders raised concerns about a draft budget the commission is preparing. Commissioners repeatedly cautioned listeners that budget figures were still in planning and ‘‘nothing is official until it’s voted on.’’
Hissom described the financial and operational pressure on volunteer fire departments and the potential effect on response capacity. ‘‘When you take money away, services have to be cut,’’ he said, adding that reduced funding could mean fewer trucks and fewer trained personnel responding to calls.
Resident Bethany Blewett pressed commissioners on cuts she said would largely fall on the sheriff’s office. Blewett cited a claimed $1.4 million reduction from a sheriff’s budget she described as ‘‘just over $4,000,000’’ and said layoffs would follow if the cut stood. A commissioner replied the draft published in local media showed a smaller share—about 30%—and reiterated that the commission had not finalized any reductions.
Blewett also questioned why courthouse security and school resource officer reimbursements were not returned directly to the sheriff’s office, saying reimbursements that flow to the general fund could exacerbate staffing problems for deputies in the field. She urged commissioners to compare Hancock County to similar counties and to limit reductions to first responders.
Sheriff Giddings said his office is working with the commission to minimize impacts. ‘‘We’re still working with the commission. They’ve been working with us to try to do the best we can to minimize this,’’ he said, adding that funding shortfalls stem largely from reduced revenues rather than overspending.
Commissioners and staff said they would continue planning and meetings with department leaders before any vote. Commissioner comments emphasized willingness to continue dialogue and to seek options that reduce harm to core public-safety services.
The meeting record shows no final vote on budget cuts at this session; commissioners set a follow-up meeting for continued budget discussion.
