Sagadahoc County Commissioners have drafted a preliminary 2013-2014 county budget that reflects a 3.07 percent increase in the amount to be raised by taxes. The county's Budget Advisory Committee will review this budget throughout the month of April.

Increased costs in county expenses and a reduction in available reserves account for the increase, according to County Administrator Pamela Hile. About 78 percent of this increase is due to payments made to replenish an Emergency Contingency account, as well as to pay for payroll and benefit costs, according to Hile. She said the budget also reflects costs for maintenance improvements.  

The budget proposes to use about 15 percent of reserve account money, which has $66,012 less in it than last year. Further reducing these reserve funds may mean another tax increase for fiscal year 2014-2015, according to Hile.

A public hearing on the budget is tentatively scheduled for April 30. Following the public hearing, the committee will make their recommendations to commissioners. A final budget will then be drafted and adopted by commissioners in June. For more information on the Sagadahoc County annual budget process, visit: www.sagcounty.com/sag_Admin/.