NEW CUMBERLAND — The Hancock County Commission plans to make budgetary cuts across all departments in anticipation of revenue losses resulting from changes in the local economy and laws enacted by the state Legislature.

Commissioners met in a workshop session Friday morning to discuss the need for adjustments to the county’s budget, with members noting the changes are in response to a decline in general revenue.

“We are all focused on the same goal — making sure Hancock County remains financially stable without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers,” said Commissioner Paul R. Cowey III. “By acting now, we are positioning our county for long-term success and preserving the critical services our residents depend on.”

Reports indicate projections of a $2.1 million shortfall for the 2026 fiscal year.

“These adjustments are not about eliminating services — they are about ensuring we are using every taxpayer dollar wisely and aligning our spending with what is reasonable for counties like ours,” said Commission President Eron Chek. “Even if we completely drained our rainy-day fund, it would not come close to covering the projected deficit. These proactive adjustments are necessary to protect our county’s future and ensure we can continue providing core services to the community.”

According to information provided by the commission office Friday evening, plans include a 13 percent reduction to the commission’s operating budget, decreases of between 2 percent and 5 percent from other elected officials’ offices — including the County Clerk’s Office and Assessor’s Offices, and a 30 percent reduction to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department budget.

Commissioners note these decisions were made through a comparison of budgets with other West Virginia counties similar to Hancock County in size of population and the number of services provided.

“This decision was difficult to make. We examined all budgets, line by line items and all options and avenues … but at the end of the day, these cuts were our only choice,” said Commissioner Tommy Ogden. “They are necessary for the fiscal viability of Hancock County. We’re committed as a commission to no longer use our rainy day fund for supplementing our general budget. These budget cuts are necessary for our short- and long-term financial health as a county. Moving forward, with these cuts we have a solid fiscal base where we will have a balanced budget and can build upon it by hopefully adding and providing increased services to our residents.”

Among the reasons for anticipated losses cited by commissioners was a reduction of video lottery funds traditionally provided to the county, as well as the closure of operations from Cleveland-Cliffs’ tin mill in Weirton. The mill closure is expected to result in a loss of $1 million in property taxes, according to the commission.

Commissioners also cite increased costs associated with housing individuals in the state’s regional jail system, declining coal severance funds and reduced property taxes from exemptions granted by the state to veterans and senior citizens.

For the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, the commission had set a general fund budget of $11,827,035, with $50,000 in coal severance funds.

When approving the 2024-2025 budget in March 2024, commissioners anticipated expenditures to include $4,971,258 for general government operations, with $6,431,536 going toward public safety, $34,600 for health and sanitation, $220,962 for culture and recreation and $168,679 for social services.

There were no capital projects planned at the time.

The 2025-2026 budget will be presented to the commission for approval later this month.