Hancock County Council: 5/6/26
Hancock Co. Council/Budget Comm. meeting
05/06/2026
Terry Bynum
This meeting is usually lots of discussion regarding ongoing financial and budget issues for the county. A major participant is Greg Gurretaz, the county tax and financial consultant.
Items of interest today–The Council is moving closer to offering a General Obilgation bond issue for 2027. Today, they talked about a total of 6.8 million in bonding–involving infrastructure in the county, as well as repairs, new sheriff’s cars and a large expense for IT. There is some uncertainty as to how GO bonds will be treated under SEA 1–some of the councillors are talking like this may be the last bond that the county will be able to sell.
One of the items involved in offering this bond is the bond rating by Standards and Poors. Gurretaz pointed out that the county needs to have a 5 year capital expense plan in place to help get the best bond rating possible. County department heads are working on this.
Much discussion on salary increases for county employees for 2027. They were debating 2 per cent versus 3 percent, and whether department heads would get that percentage raise PLUS a flat amount. By the time they were ready to move on, they had decided on a 3 per cent raise for county employees, a 1500 flat raise for department heads and full time elected officers, AND no added positions in 2027.
The health department agreed to continue funding 2 of the Sheriff's department Navigator positions for 2027 (as they are doing now).
Also a lot of discussion (but no decision) on something called MUST. It’s a meeting that is required by SEA 1, involving all incorporated government entities in each county. The meeting is supposed to be run by the County Council. The municipalities involved are supposed to discuss money needed from taxes across the county and come to agreement on how the pie will be sliced under SEA 1.
Sheriff Burkhart demonstrated a drone that the department uses. It is housed on the roof of Mount Vernon School, in a climate controlled area, and can be flown by dispatch, or several other deputies who are licensed pilots. They are planning on purchasing a second drone, and will house it on the roof of the Amplify building.
