HANCOCK COUNTY, W. Va. (WTRF) - It was a packed house at the Hancock County Commission meeting Thursday afternoon as citizens, sheriff deputies and volunteer firemen voiced their concerns over recently proposed budget cuts.
Hancock County Commissioners spent an hour and a half discussing these proposed budget cuts for fiscal year 2026.
Last week, commissioners provided 7News with a press release stating the county was facing a $2.1 million deficit, and as a result, all departments would be impacted.
| Related: Significant budget cuts made by Hancock County Commission to offset a $2.1 million shortfall
The proposed cuts affect the Sheriff’s Office the most, as the commission suggested cutting their budget by 30%.
One deputy called last week’s announcement “disrespectful”, saying that many of them found out from media reports and spent the weekend worrying about the security of their jobs.
“It's crazy that they got blindsided by this last minute on a Friday afternoon. But for ten guys to sit here and be wondering if they have jobs... what the commission does not realize, is the irreparable damage this has done to a very good department. Our recruiting in the future will be devastated by this because we'll always be the department where people wonder if we'll actually be able to have a job here that is stable.”
Dante DiJiorlanio | Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy
Commissioners clarified these are preliminary cuts, and nothing has been finalized. President Eron Chek said, "these are discussions to see what is best."
Another Hancock County Sherriff's Office employee, Seargent Hugh Tate, criticized the commission for releasing these preliminary budget cuts.
"I don't think the majority of people would be here if you hadn't released numbers you shouldn't have released. I saw it on the news, the percentage of the cuts, and I think that was pretty premature of you guys. If that was inaccurate then why was it released?"
Sgt. Hugh Tate | Hancock County Sheriff’s
Hancock County Sheriff Scott Gittings says if their current proposal gets approved, he will have to lay off at least 10 deputies.
This brought up major concerns for residents.
“If you take half of their force off of them when they are already covering such a big area that doesn’t have police, then what’s going to happen to us when we do call for the police?”
Bethany Blewitt | Hancock County Resident
One citizen asked why the commission approved the hire of several deputies over the last two years when they knew this shortfall was coming.
Chek said commission has no control over the Sheriff’s hiring or firing process.
She said she had a conversation with Sheriff Gittings last year that gave some insight into a possible deficit but never gave him an exact number.
Last fiscal year, they lost around $880,000 in video lottery funding after a change in the state legislature passed during the spring session of 2023.
The county also suffered revenue losses with the closure of the Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Mill, which resulted in more than $1 million in uncollected personal property taxes
| Related: Cleveland Cliffs tin-plate facility officially idles, hundreds laid off
"We have a budget that’s been going down and expenses that have been going up. Inflation alone has been a significant increase."
Eron Chek | President, Hancock County Commission
The Sherrif’s Office isn’t alone in facing possible cuts.
John Hissam, Chief of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department, says the current budget proposal suggests all six volunteer fire departments in the county would lose $15,000 in funding.
Hancock County usually provides around $44,000 annually to each department.
He says this funding is vital for them to provide first responder service to the community.
"We can’t do without that money. Will we far apart and go way tomorrow? No. But services will be cut. That hurts the fire departments itself, it hurts the citizens of Hancock County, it hurts the citizens of anybody who comes in here to visit. We're dealing with people's lives, and you're dealing with money. I understand that. But I got to be the one to deal with the person."
Chief John Hissam | Chester Volunteer Fire Department
Commissioners reemphasized this isn’t the final budget, and they will work with the Sheriff’s Office and other departments in the county to reduce impacts as much as they can.
"We have not made any final decisions, but we want to work together to get to the best place we can be."
Eron Chek | President, Hancock County Commission
The final budget is due to the state auditor by March 28, but commissioners can apply for extension if needed.
Stay with 7News for updates.