Hancock County Council & Budget Committee: 2/4/26

MEETING: Hancock Budget Comm & Council Mtg. 

Date: 2/04/26

Recorder: Terry Bynum

BACKGROUND:

Provide relevant links and/or context for the meeting.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT AGENDA ITEMS AND KEY POINTS

    This meeting is typically quite a few disjointed discussions about budget lines, and taxes. Today’s was no different. 

The Tax consultant, Greg Guerrettaz, talked about what was happening at the Capitol with SB1 changes.  He says it looks like the .70 cap for Local Income Tax will change, and the date for implementation of the bill will most likely be pushed to 2029, rather than 2028.  He also thinks the cap for the library funds (Hancock Co. & Vernon Twp) will be .17 or .18.

This meeting saw quite a few county departments and non-profits asking for funding. 

The County Prosecutor was informed of a cut of 40% in a specific grant for Victim Support and Salaries, and informed the board he would be back for additional appropriations. 

The Board also decided to somehow fund the Sheriff’s Department Jail Recovery Program, to the tune of $315K for the rest of the year. 

Senior Services needs $150K from the county to cover shortfalls.  They also anticipate another $150K from Greenfield, and $300K from the state.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Hancock Co asked the board for help.  There is a shortfall in a grant they get from the Lilly Foundation.  With Commissioners approval, the council tentatively agreed to give the non-profit $72K

The Public Defenders office asked for 3 appropriations, totalling about $125K–most of it to pay for outside attorneys contracted by the Public Defender’s office to deal with cases.

Bernie Harris from the county IT department put the council on notice that in 2027, they need to spend about $688K to replace servers, storage and printer services.  This will be put into the upcoming General Obligation bond. 

The Animal Control Services contract with Greenfield was finally approved. 

The council also passed a Declaration of Intent to reimburse the county for purchase of new Sheriff’s Vehicles. (This will also go into the 2026 G.O. Bond. 

The Veterans Service office asked for $13,000–This will cover increased hours required by the state for a veterans service officer.