Craig Howell WATCHING – Representatives of the Hancock County Sheriff's Department were among those in attendance Thursday when Hancock County commissioners approved the county's budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The budget includes a 5 percent reduction in the sheriff's budget.

NEW CUMBERLAND — Hancock County will enter the next fiscal year with a balanced budget.

County commissioners approved a budget model — labeled “Model 2” — during Thursday’s meeting, with the budget due to the state Friday.

Commissioner Paul Cowey said the budget model was possible because of the May 12 passage of a new levy supporting the Hancock County Animal Shelter.

“That will free up $300,000 from our general budget,” Cowey said, explaining the funds can be directed toward other planned expenses.

The levy will provide $300,000 annually to support shelter operations. The shelter, owned by the county, is managed by the Jefferson County Humane Society.

“It’s what the voters asked for,” Commission President Eron Chek said. “The levy for the animal shelter was a big help.”

The budget, which begins July 1, includes a balance of revenues and expenditures totaling $10,183,338 for the general fund and $65,000 in coal severance funds. That compares with the current fiscal year’s $10.9 million general fund budget and nearly $77,000 in coal severance funds.

Projected revenues include $850,000 from the fund balance; $5,633,483 in property taxes; $436,000 in prior-year taxes; $150,000 in tax penalties; $400 in dog taxes; $175,000 in property transfer tax; $105,000 in gas and oil severance tax; $2,000 in horse and dog racing tax; $2,500 in wine and liquor tax; $150,000 in hotel occupancy tax; $324,113 from Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreements; $5,000 in miscellaneous energy taxes; $100 in building permits; $150,000 in federal grants and federal payments in lieu of taxes; $429,167 in charges for services; $3,000 from sheriff’s service of process fees; $6,875 from sheriff’s earnings; $70,000 from county clerk’s earnings; $20,000 from circuit clerk’s earnings; $500 from prosecuting attorney earnings; $2,000 from accident reports; $2,000 in motor vehicle license fees; $48,000 in rents and concessions; $3,000 in cemetery revenue; $7,000 in Interstate Registration Plan fees; $3,000 in fines, fees and court costs; $30,000 in regional jail operations reimbursements; $1,000 in earned interest; $1,000 in miscellaneous revenue; $15,000 from the sheriff’s commission; $200,000 in gaming income; $850,000 in video lottery revenue; $180,000 in contributions from other entities; $63,500 in external refunds and reimbursements; $50,000 in general school reimbursements; and $6,000 in magistrate court reimbursements.

The budget allocates $5,058,706 to general government; $4,772,532 to public safety; $22,600 to health and sanitation; $185,000 to culture and recreation; and $144,500 to social services. No funding is allocated for capital projects.

The budget also includes a 5 percent cut to the county sheriff’s department, which Sheriff Scott Gittings previously offered in place of the 15 percent reduction initially requested by the county.

“It’s a good outcome in a compromised way,” Commissioner Tommy Ogden said.

Cowey said House Bill 3450, passed in 2023, significantly contributed to the county’s budget concerns by reallocating revenue from the state’s Racetrack Video Lottery Act.

“This all came up almost three years ago,” Cowey said, noting the county has lost between $700,000 and $900,000 annually from those funds in recent years.