Only one citizen showed up on Friday morning to witness the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors vote to approve the proposed 2012-2013 fiscal year budget, which does not include a millage increase.
The board had planned on not increasing any millage, but when District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer realized there was only one resident present, he joked, “Maybe we should just raise taxes now.”
The budget passed 4-1, with District 4 Supervisor Daniel Jackson casting the lone vote. Jackson was not available Friday afternoon to comment on why he voted against the measure..
The $11,125,856 general fund for the county increased nearly 5 percent from the 2011-12 budget, which sat at $10,629,268.
Last year, approximately $18,280,203 of the $34,280,900 projected revenue of the 2011-12 fiscal budget was acquired through ad valorem taxes, but this year, the 2012-13 budget is projecting $18,656,854 of the $31,779,821 expected revenue to come from the millage.
Nearly 71 percent of the 110.97 mill tax levy that was approved is designated for road and bridge construction in the county, county schools, county fire services and OCH Regional Medical Center.
The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department saw the most noteworthy increase — almost $200,000 above last year’s budget — for new patrol cars and radio system.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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