The county commission faces $789,681 in cuts to the general fund budget proposal in order to use the certified tax rate of around $2.17/hundred of assessed valuation. That’s the rate the state says will generate about the same amount of property tax revenue as last year. In reality, however, the certified rate will generate $582,776 less for the general fund than last year because the value of each penny on last year’s rate was overestimated.

Mark Bishop told the budget committee last week that each penny this year will bring in around $28,100, assuming 87% collections. The debt service fund will need 37¢ to cover bond payments and the schools will have to receive 72¢ to get around the same amount of money as last year, a state requirement. To keep the certified rate, that leaves $1.08 for the general fund.

Budget Director Rachel Rogers said the commission would have to hold a public hearing to explain why if it wants to approve a rate higher than the certified rate, which is set by the state as part of the reappraisal program.

The committee went through the other revenue items, hoping to add to the total, but ended up reducing several categories, such as business tax and land transfer fees, in light of the economy.

There was discussion of the proposed 5% pay raise for employees, which added $78,355 to the budget requests. Mark Bishop pointed out that the Sheriff’s Department and jailers have gotten raises since the Courthouse employees. There was also discussion, as in the past, about the fact that Courthouse employees are paid on the same pay scale even though some work four days while others work five days a week.

Bishop asked the commissioners to look over the budget requests and be prepared to recommend cuts at the next meeting, scheduled for May 19, 7 p.m., at the community center in Ducktown.

Those attending lasts week’s meeting were Bishop, John Pippenger, Wanda Cheek, Daniel Deal, Daren Waters and Greg Brooks.