Hancock County Commission approves 24-25 budget
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NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Hancock County Commission is ready for its next fiscal year, approving its 2024-2025 budget as part of commissioners' regular meeting Thursday.
The commission set a general fund budget of $11,827,035, and a coal severance budget of $50,000 for the fiscal year, which begins July 1.
This is a slight change from the current fiscal year, which has a budget of $11,298,697, with $54,101 set for coal severance.
Commission President Jeff Davis offered his thanks to Ira Aracich, who was hired as the county's new finance administrator in February.
"Six weeks on the job and you've never missed a beat," Davis said.
The county anticipates beginning the fiscal year with a $1,850,000 carryover, with the remainder coming through its estimated taxes, fines, license and permit fees and other revenue sources.
There are $4,971,258 in expenditures anticipated for general government operations, with $6,431,536 going toward public safety, $34,600 for health and sanitation, $220,962 for culture and recreation, and $168,679 for social services.
There is no funding listed for capital projects in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The commission also heard from Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley, and approving a proclamation recognizing March as American Red Cross Month.
Kesselring noted her division now encompasses 19 counties, with 15 in West Virginia and four in Ohio, with three paid staff and numerous volunteers serving approximately 500,000 people.
"We're small, but mighty," she said, noting 90 percent of the work done in the region by the Red Cross is by volunteers.
She reported the Red Cross responded to 10 emergency situations in Hancock County in 2023, assisting 26 individuals, providing 133 training programs, collecting 200 units of blood, and distributing 12 smoke alarms.
In other business, Thursday, the commission:
Read a letter from Heather Hayes, chair of the Greater Weirton Senior Citizens Center, requesting $15,000 to assist with utility bills and mechanical repairs. The commission made the letter a matter of record;
Appointed Kathy Beagle and John Speerhas to the Hancock County Museum Commission;
Agreed to seek additional proposals for property and liability insurance;
Set a hearing for 11:30 a.m., April 25 on a petition to close a portion of Lane K and a portion of Wells Avenue in Newell;
Approved the memorandum of agreement for the Form Energy payment in lieu of taxes;
Agreed to hire Miranda Morris as deputy clerk in the County Clerk's Office, effective April 1;
Accepted the resignation of Leah Caparros from the WVU Extension Office, effective March 22.