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Hancock County adopts budget model 2, narrowing proposed cuts to sheriff's office
Summary
The commission voted to adopt budget model 2 for fiscal year 2026-27, citing levy proceeds that free up roughly $300,000 for the general budget and applying opioid-fund offsets to reduce the sheriff's proposed cuts to 5%; commissioners directed staff to finalize adjusted documents for auditor submission.
The Hancock County Commission voted on May 14 to adopt "model 2" for its general county and coal severance budgets for fiscal year 2026-27, a move commissioners said will reduce proposed cuts to the sheriff's office.
Commissioner Cowley (S5) moved to adopt model 2 and told colleagues that voter approval of local levies will free about $300,000 into the general budget. Cowley also referenced the opioid awards announced that day, saying the $288,700 awarded to the sheriff and additional allocations "for the county prosecutor" would help create a balanced budget. Cowley said the changes meant the sheriff's department reduction would be 5% instead of deeper cuts.
Commissioner Ogden (S6) described the outcome as a "good outcome in a compromised way," and Chair (S4) said staff would re-examine the adjusted budget documents immediately and submit them to the auditor "by tomorrow," acknowledging the filing deadline. The motion passed by voice vote.
The commission emphasized the action was contingent on staff review of the revised documents to ensure the budget changes matched the commission's intent before final signature and submission to the auditor. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
