Thursday's Internet Edition, 09:17 PM, March 11, 2010.

Commissioners David Boothe, Rodney Cox and John Greathouse met in special session Tuesday, their second meeting to consider the new budget. Expected revenues in the new general fund total $2,815,405, an increase of 6.2 percent over the current budget.

A significant amount of money – an estimated $67,000 – was added to the revenue line with a change in mandated employer contribution to retirement benefits.

Commissioners discussed several potential measures to increase revenues, including upping the amount of gaming income from the state and earnings for the county clerk and circuit clerk offices.

Jennifer Randolph, the commission’s administrative assistant, calculated that the county could receive a little more than $18,000 from tax collections by raising the levy rate. If approved, the rate would be the most allowable without having a public hearing.

Without instituting the tax rate, budget requests are approximately $9,983 over projected revenues.

Prosecuting attorney Josh Downey presented a budget request Tuesday that is approximately 9 percent less than the current budget as far as the county’s contribution is concerned. The budget includes $26,000 for an assistant prosecutor and $10,400 for a victim’s advocate, both funded by grants.

Downey said adding an assistant prosecutor last year has increased office efficiency and allowed him to not fill a vacant clerk’s position. He said the victim’s advocate position would not be funded if a grant for it is not approved.

Downey’s budget request totaled $223,146.62.

Circuit clerk Beverly Greathouse and assessor Emily Westfall are scheduled to present their budget requests during a special meeting Tuesday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. Commissioners expect to agree on a final budget at that time.