Hancock County Board of Commissioners : 8/18/26

Hancock Co. Comm. 08/18/26

Terry Bynum

This was a typical business meeting. 

Gary Pool reported that truck & body cams for Hiway dept workers are in process. 

The Jack & Sons property has FINALLY been purchased by the county.  Plans are to work with the city and a brownfield grant it has to clean up the hazardous waste and eventually make the property into a park

Some gas tax money has been replaced by the state–but he has had to adjust plans for the year.  

If the county is going to continue providing transportation services through Hancock Sr. Services, Gary says the RFP has to go out next month. 

The winter salt shipment has arrived, and it is expensive, but he's hoping that the El Nino winter will be mild. 

Sheriff Burkhart is requesting to surplus 6 Sheriff's cars, and to take one additional car off of the inventory, since it was totaled in an accident. 

The 911 department has requested they be allowed to enter into a contract with a Grant Writing professional to help get grants for the county. 

The Co. Coroner is asking what to do with a refrigerated trailer that was donated years ago by the hospital. He'd like to get rid of it, since it's never been used. 

HR has added a chapter to the County Employee Handbook regarding drivers in county vehicles or driving personal vehicles on county business

And finally, the item everyone was waiting for...A letter of intent from EQT Real estate wanting to build a Data Center at 500 W, & 500 North, north of the airport. The commissioners accepted the letter. 

Approximately 15 people spoke against the data center. Commissioners pointed out several times that this is just the beginning of the process, there will be many more opportunities to comment, and NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED!