Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hancock County Commission votes to join opioid settlement, approves hires and board appointments
Summary
At its April 9 meeting, the Hancock County Commission voted to participate in an opioid settlement with Associated Pharmacies Inc., appointed two board members, approved multiple hires and promotions effective April 16, and approved routine county bills and a travel reimbursement.
The Hancock County Commission on April 9 voted to participate in an opioid settlement case against Associated Pharmacies Inc., approved several personnel moves and board appointments, and signed off on routine bills and requisitions.
The commission approved joining the settlement and directed staff to sign up by the May 4 deadline, following a presentation from the chair (S4) and a motion from S5. No dollar figure for the county’s expected share was discussed at the meeting.
The panel also approved a promotion to full-time assistant maintenance technician and the hiring of Ashley Close as humane officer/dog warden and Haley Ann Murray as a deputy clerk, all effective April 16, 2026. S4 said of Parks and Recreation appointee Lois Rakowski, “She has a lot of grant writing experience and will be a great asset.” The commission approved Rakowski’s appointment to the county Parks and Recreation Board and appointed Steve Ward to the Tomlinson Public Service District Board; the chair noted three applicants applied for that seat.
Financial items approved included general county bills totaling $166,990.16 and fee-card/all-funds totals of $19,911.82. The commission approved levy fund bills for the animal shelter, sheltered workshop, and library as presented. The body approved a travel reimbursement related to Commissioner Kawi for training in Charleston in February; the total for that travel was $183.87 and one member recorded an abstention on the vote after S3 said they would recuse.
The commission established (but did not fund) a savings allocation line within special revenue fund 19 to be designated as a strategic reserve. The chair clarified the action adds a line item only and does not transfer or appropriate funds at this time.
Other routine business included approval of four exoneration orders, acceptance of the animal shelter’s March in-and-out report (with higher-than-normal adoption activity), and approval of probates and estates recommended as to form.
The commission announced its next regular meeting for April 23 at 2:30 p.m. and adjourned.
