It's now official.
A new multi-million dollar budget for 2010 has been approved. And millage will stay the same as in previous years in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of McDuffie County.
The McDuffie County Board of Commissioners met in special session Friday morning to adopt a new budget and set millage.
The county's new 2010 budget shows a 6 percent decrease over the current budget, County Manager Don Norton told commissioners.
Commissioners voted to keep the same millage, 7.8.
The new budget totals $37,924,815. Within that figure, $12,173,524 is set aside for general funds.
Commissioners had to adopt a resolution pertaining to the budget adoption.
Officials also certified a 17.19 millage tax levy for maintenance and operations of the McDuffie County Board of Education for the fiscal year 2010.
The levy was based on tax digest information provided to school board officials by the county tax assessor's office.
The new county school millage shows no increase for 2010.
Mr. Norton and commissioners have been meeting for weeks to discuss budget issues.
Before commissioners approved the new budget, last-minute discussions were held concerning certain issues.
One of those involved a county landfill-rate increase, which would add $70,000 more in revenue in 2010.
The landfill increase involves a new $2 per ton tipping fee, Mr. Norton said.
Commission Chairman Charlie Newton said he hated to hit residents with a landfill increase, although in the overall scheme of things, it should be an insignificant amount to the average person.
"It's a heck of lot better than a mill rate increase," Mr. Newton pointed out.
Mr. Norton explained the importance of the county trying to get ahead of the game a little bit for next year.
"We need to look for revenue every way we can without hurting people," Mr. Norton said.
Commissioner Paul McCorkle questioned what impact it might have on Glascock County. Mr. Norton said he wasn't sure, and Mr. Newton said he didn't think it would make a real difference.
Commission Vice-Chairman Sammie Wilson Sr. expressed concern over where such money would go after it is collected. Mr. Norton told Mr. Wilson it would go into contingency.
Commissioner Bill Jopling later made a motion to adopt the new budget with the addition of the new landfill tipping fee being included.
Mr. Wilson seconded the motion and when the issue came up for a vote, commissioners unanimously approved it.
