Hancock County commissioners table fire-department financing question, approve opioid-fund application and multiple personnel actions

The Hancock County Commission on Aug. 14 tabled consideration of a proposed lease-purchase financing for the New Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department and approved an application to receive opioid-settlement funds, along with a series of personnel actions, budget and administrative items.

The commission voted to table a motion to approve a lease-purchase agreement for the New Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department that referenced section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code after commissioners asked for legal clarification about whether the transaction would be a private-activity bond requiring additional approvals. The item was resubmitted for research and tabled to the next meeting.

Commission discussion focused on whether the financing would be treated as a private-activity bond under section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. One commissioner said they had read the code and…