Hancock Co. Council Budget Committee
Terry Bynum
10/07/26
A lot of time spent talking about money, but no decisions made.
Fund balances look okay–
Financial advisor Greg Gurrataz delivered an updated Sustainability report–189 pages.
Also talked about proceeds from sale of 2026 General Obligation bonds. Bond have been sold. Approximately $6.68 Million will be booked Oct. 8. Most of it is for capital projects and building maintenance–courthouse windows, elevator repair, and IT equipment.
Much discussion on a amendment to the GDI agreement for Walmart building 6.
Attorney presented a proposed ordinance to fix a mismatch between the tax abatement schedules passed by the county several years ago, and a schedule negotiated with the EDA. Resolution ended up being tabled–will be changed slightly and brought up next week. No change to the bottom line, just different abatement percentages.
Sheriff Burkhart was scheduled to discuss potential changes to the Sheriff's retirement policy, but hasn't received all the info from the actuaries. Again, next week.
Ag Association presented another update on the Fairgrounds, and what their plans are. To do everything they would like would cost 50 to 60 million, and would take about 20 years.
After much discussion Council agreed to provide up to $60K for engineering studies and soil testing of the fairground to determine just how much would need to be done, before committing any further money.
County commissioners present talked about receiving bids for an Annex Expansion Feasibility study. Apparently, the plan is to finish all the offices in community corrections, then move people out of the Memorial Building into those offices. When that's done, the Memorial Building will be renovated, and all the prosecutors and staff will move there. No timeline established.
