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Hancock County Commission selects 2026 leadership, approves routine business and adopts 2026 mileage rate
Summary
At a January 2026 meeting the Hancock County Commission elected its leadership for the year, approved routine personnel, probate and fund bills, adopted a 2026 IRS mileage rate of $0.725 per mile, and set a March vote on nine opioid fund requests.
The Hancock County Commission met in January 2026 and selected leadership for the year, approved a string of routine administrative items and adopted the 2026 IRS standard mileage rate.
During opening business the commission accepted nominations for president and president pro tempore. A nomination named 'Erin Cech' was made for commission president; after three calls for additional nominations the chair recorded by acclamation the declaration of 'Aaron Aaron Cech' as president. The meeting record contains conflicting name references for the person declared president; the transcript reads both names. Paul Cowie was nominated and approved by acclamation as president pro tempore.
The commission approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of the Dec. 22, 2025 meeting by voice votes with no discussion recorded. Under new business the panel approved 2026 personnel appointments. An agenda item to consider committee and board appointments received no motion and was not acted on.
Commissioners approved a grant contract agreement between the Division of Administrative Services, Justice and Community Services and the Hancock County Commission. The body also approved the 2026 IRS standard mileage rate of $0.725 per mile; the record notes that this is an increase from previously stated figures in the transcript (0.657 and a separate mention of 0.67).
The commission acknowledged receipt of nine opioid fund requests and agreed to take votes on those approvals at the March 2026 meeting. One commissioner urged that the acknowledgement be passed to preserve financial options pending the assessor's projected revenue figures.
The commission moved and approved several probate and estate actions: acceptance of an order related to the estate of Shirley Beagle, an increase in fiduciary commissioner fees for the estate of Priscilla Ann Shields, and approval of additional probates and estates "as to form." The commission also approved the release of a deed of trust for Michael j Watkins senior.
Finance items approved included general county bills totaling $131,995.99 and P-Card/all funds totaling $19,792.53, along with animal shelter L.E.H.I. fund bills, sheltered workshop levy fund bills, and library levy fund bills and acquisitions; each was presented as reviewed and 'okay to pay' before being approved by the commission.
For the good of the order Commissioner Paul Cowie wished attendees a "happy New Year" and safe year ahead; other speakers offered similar seasonal greetings. The next regular commission meeting was scheduled for Jan. 22 at 2:30 p.m., and the commission adjourned.
Votes at a glance: all motions taken during the meeting were approved by voice vote as recorded in the public transcript; no roll-call tallies with named votes were recorded in the transcript.
