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Clark County commissioners review 2026 capital and supplemental requests and consultant needs for public safety project
Summary
County Administrator Jennifer Hutchinson told commissioners the county has just under $3 million available after 2026 budget accounting and recommended retaining $2 million of additional investment earnings for operations; commissioners discussed uncertainty in sales-tax revenue for a proposed public safety complex and the need for a consultant under House Bill 96.
At a Jan. 28 meeting, the Board of Clark County Commissioners heard County Administrator Jennifer Hutchinson present the 2026 supplemental and capital requests, saying the county has just under $3 million available after accounting for projected 2026 expenditures and revenues and that additional investment earnings are about $6 million but recommending $2 million remain for operations with the remainder available for supplemental and capital expenditures.
Hutchinson walked commissioners through her recommendations for supplemental and capital spending and told the board that not all of roughly $7 million in available funds needs to be used this year. Commissioners pressed on uncertainties that could affect those decisions: sales-tax revenue projections for 2026 remain unknown and could affect funding for a proposed public safety complex.
Commissioner Charles A. Patterson said the commission should establish a vehicle replacement plan with the Sheriff’s Office so the plan remains in place regardless of future leadership. Hutchinson also said a consulting contract will be required to meet the requirements of House Bill 96 and recommended exploring collaboration with other counties and the City of Springfield to coordinate the public safety project.
The commissioners did not take a final funding vote on the public safety complex at the meeting; Hutchinson said she will work with the Auditor’s office to prepare budget amendments and expects to bring those amendments to the board for approval within a week or two.
Commissioners also noted other county business during the meeting, including a CivicPlus website-hosting contract that may be amended for ADA compliance and continuing discussions about local solar projects on the county’s west side. Commissioner Richard L. Lohnes said he recently met with a Harmony Township group opposing the Sloopy Solar Project and asked to reopen discussions; Commissioner Sasha L. Rittenhouse said the county’s solar ban adopted in September 2025 remains in effect for two years.
The board scheduled its next meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
