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Hancock County Council approves ordinances, GO-bond reimbursement intent and budget moves; several actions set for follow-up
Summary
Council approved a salary-ordinance amendment for highway hourly employees (ordinance 2026-B5B), moved a highway budget transfer of $12,356.66, passed a $6.8M Declaration of Intent to Reimburse (Resolution 2026-5-3), approved a community corrections case-manager ordinance (2026-5C) and authorized payment on a Nine Star Connect invoice.
At its May 13 meeting, the Hancock County Council approved a series of procedural and fiscal items, including salary-ordinance and budget transfers, a bond reimbursement declaration and a new position ordinance.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2026-B5B (highway hourly employees salary amendment): Approved by voice vote. - Highway budget transfer: Approved; $12,356.66 moved from account 39200 (large culverts) to account 31429 (Bridge 48). - County Council Resolution 2026-5-3 (Declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures): Approved; authorizes interim use of general-fund money for anticipated projects pending a planned $6.8 million bond sale, with about $1.6 million earmarked for courthouse windows and doors. - Ordinance 2026-5C (Community Corrections case manager): Approved (vote recorded 6-0). The position will be paid from project income; commissioners will cover benefit costs. - Nine Star Connect invoice: The council authorized payment of an $80,250 invoice (includes $20,250 for grinder pumps and other items) and directed payment from economic-development funds.
Operational updates and other business
Highway and capital: Gary Poole briefed the council on paving work beginning that week, contingency planning for higher HMA costs, and potential pursuit of LCWF land-purchase grants. Poole also described a pending Jack and Sons bridge/property transaction with anticipated remediation assistance through a $400,000 Greenfield grant; he estimated the purchase amount would be about $280,000 and said a $1-per-month lease would ease the business transition while remediation occurs.
Budget schedule and personnel guidance: Staff reported a 5-year capital-plan outline, the setup of a regional sewer revolving fund, and 2027 budget instructions that include a recommended 3% general raise (with part-time elected officials receiving a $1,500 adjustment). Departments were asked to submit five-year capital plans with their 2027 budgets and to meet packet deadlines so county books can be prepared for July hearings.
What happens next: Non-compliant CF1 applicants were ordered to appear next month; the prosecutor’s juvenile-staffing proposal will be discussed in the 2027 budget process; and staff will return with capital-plan updates and more detailed abatement and assessed-value figures after July 1.
