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Kanawha County previews 2026-27 budget as prosecutors, sheriff and nonprofits seek increases
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Summary
Commissioners heard FY2026-27 budget presentations Feb. 19 including prosecutor requests for added staff and $36,500 for printer replacements, a $130,000 increase sought by the Sheriff's Office, circuit court storage costs prompting a contract review, and a request for more county support for the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association.
Kanawha County officials used the Feb. 19 commission meeting to preview the 2026-27 budget and to hear specific funding requests from constitutional officers and outside agencies, with several items flagged for follow-up.
Kim Fleck, deputy county manager and director of finance, opened the department presentations and emphasized the meeting was a presentation and not a formal budget adoption. The county received multiple departmental requests and outside-agency appeals that commissioners said they would review in March.
A representative of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (identified in the minutes as Ken) told commissioners the office has seen an increase in abuse and neglect cases and is requesting one additional staff member. The office also noted increased dues and subscription costs, and requested replacement of 55 obsolete desktop printers at an estimated cost of $36,500.
Sheriff Joseph H. Crawford reported no proposed increases for Legal Process and Home Confinement but said the Law Enforcement division is seeking a $130,000 increase to cover rising costs for vehicle supplies and service agreements needed to maintain existing operations.
Circuit Clerk Cathy Gatson told commissioners that records storage with a paid vendor is costly—a monthly fee with the vendor was cited at about $14,000—and said the county will examine whether building a temperature-regulated, bonded records facility might be cheaper; the commission directed staff to review the contract and produce cost estimates.
Outside agencies also presented funding requests. Tony Michael of WVU Extension said Extension staff were in California to accept a $100,000 grant for Camp Virgil Tate; commissioners noted the county’s current contribution of $40,000 and discussed a requested $10,000 increase. Bethany Hively of the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association said the shelter took in about 3,800 animals in 2025, representing roughly $2 million in services, and asked for increased county support beyond the current $180,000 contribution; Hively said 88% of the shelter’s income comes from donors and requested additional funding and a formal agreement with the county.
Commissioners discussed options for funding the humane group, including directing county-collected dog-tax revenue to the shelter and arranging quarterly payments. Assessor Sallie Robinson was asked to provide a list of municipalities that collect the dog tax to help determine revenue flows.
County staff and commissioners flagged several items for follow-up, including contract reviews, storage estimates and detailed budget figures to be returned at the March 5 meeting for further consideration.