PITTSFIELD, Ill. (WGEM) - With a seven-figure shortfall, the Pike County Board continued to debate cuts for the new fiscal year budget.

With the 2026 fiscal year budget needing to be approved in several weeks, the Pike County Board met once again to try to figure out how to reach a solution.

“We need to move forward and make sure our numbers are correct,” County Board Vice-Chairman Tom Lewis said.

Lewis and Chairman Rita Hoskin debated over the proposed $350,000 cut to the county ambulance department which Lewis has adamantly opposed.

“You need to refigure that number and I hate to go off of what this year’s sales tax was, because it was a very good year,” Lewis added.

Hoskin stressed the need for funds to go towards the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. The board didn’t disagree but deba

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