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Hancock County trims $180,000 shortfall to roughly $13,000; board debates levies, IT and staffing costs
Summary
County staff told the Hancock County board on Sept. 16 that the budget shortfall narrowed from about $180,000 to $13,000; the board discussed lowering levies, contracting versus in‑house IT (DEVNET), bailiff pay from the court security fund, health insurance costs and a planned public defender structure for 2027. The board recessed unanimously.
Justin Greeley told the Hancock County special finance meeting on Sept. 16 that the county’s budget shortfall had been reduced during the day from about $180,000 to roughly $13,000.
Greeley, recorded in the minutes as presenting the budget figures, said the board could still set the general fund levy up to 0.27 of the equalized assessed value (EAV), noting that last year’s levy was 0.21. "At the start of the day the county was $180,000 in the hole. At the end of this day it is only $13,000 in the hole," the minutes record.
Board members debated options to close the remaining gap. Steve Lucie urged keeping the budget at or below last year’s level and advocated lowering levies. The minutes show discussion about whether to hire full‑time in‑house IT staff or continue using DEVNET, with cost and service trade‑offs raised but no decision recorded.
Members also discussed personnel costs and benefits. The minutes record discussion of salary adjustments, rising employee health insurance costs and the county’s liability fund. The bailiff salary was noted as payable from the court security fund, and the board asked Bellwether to attempt to recoup some related costs (the minutes do not identify Bellwether’s role beyond the reference).
The board discussed the public defender position, noting it may be structured similar to the state's attorney position in 2027 and could be prorated; members raised questions about whether the state will assume the conflict public defender role. Board members also noted that county board per diem pay must be set 180 days prior to taking office and that the per diem could be changed in May 2026.
Mark Menn praised the elections budget submitted by Ms. Wilde‑Tillman, noting it showed just a 1% increase over last year. Lee Ann Lambert moved to recess at the close of the meeting; Harry Douglas seconded. The motion carried with all members present voting aye and the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
No formal levy ordinance, appropriation or hiring decision was recorded during the meeting; the minutes show only discussion and scheduling of further budget meetings on Sept. 24 and Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
