The Warren County Commission unanimously approved the 2010 budget, which proposes spending at an all-time high. The final budget calls for $19,480,310 in expenditures, nearly $4 million more than a year ago, and $15,441,497 in revenues. Prior to this year, the most the county had budgeted for in expenditures was $17,826,249. The increased spending, the commissioners said, is tied to the planned construction of a new administration building and to purchase property for a proposed four-county recycling center. The commissioners' vote was taken following a public hearing held Monday with around 15 people in attendance, most of whom included elected officials and county employees. "We've tried to be as conservative as we could on both sides," Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage told The Record. The anticipated sales tax revenue to be received in the general revenue, law enforcement and capital improvement funds is $2,521,490, or $1,173.830 individually for each. That figure is the same at how much was received by the county in 2009 and about $75,000 lower than what was projected at this time a year ago. This year's budget doesn't include raises for county employees, including elected officials. When resident Wanda Thomas, of Wright City, asked whether the county would be able to avoid layoffs or furloughs, the commissioners acknowledged the uncertainty looking ahead. Depending on revenues, Engelage said there may be a time when employees are asked to take a few hours off if needed. "But we're hoping that won't happen," he remarked. "We don't want to do that." Engelage said the commissioners have been tightening the budget where needed. As the final budget stands, the county could deplete around $1 million in reserves stored in the general revenue fund. The county is beginning the year with $9,801,152.79 in cash reserves. Facing a similar situation last year, Engelage noted that the county was able to use only $400,000 from general revenue compared to a projected $950,000. He said the budget will continue to be examined by elected officials and department heads as the year progresses. At the same time, the commissioners said, they tried to help employees by implementing a health reimbursement fund. The county will pay $500 for each employee who participates in the health care plan to help offset the increase from $1,000 to $1,500 in health care deductibles. By raising the deductible, premiums won't increase according to the commissioners. Responding to questioning from Thomas, regarding the planned construction of a new administration building on South Highway 47, the commissioners continued to defend the need to expand the county offices due to crowded offices in the existing courthouse and the need for a third courtroom. Around $5.8 million has been allocated in the 2010 budget for the project. "We wouldn't be looking to the future with what the needs are," Engelage said. "We feel now is the ideal time to proceed with the building. The labor force out there is hungry for work." During Monday's hearing, the commissioners also expressed less optimism that the project will be completed and offices relocated later this year. In a preliminary time line provided by Treanor Architects, the firm contracted to design the facility, county officials were hopeful the building would be completed in the fall, with another month needed to move offices into the new building. The budget also includes $75,000 allocated to purchase property for the proposed recycling center that will be housed in Warren County and be utilized by residents from a four-county region consisting of Warren, Franklin, Lincoln and Montgomery counties. The property will then be leased by the East Central Missouri Solid Waste District. In addition, $25,000 has been budgeted as the county plans to join the Warren County R-III School District, the city of Warrenton and other civic leaders in helping attract a college institution to the county. In preliminary discussions, a committee is looking at luring East Central College and either William Woods University or Lindenwood University to the outlet mall. The money would be used to help pay the rent and other expenses for the colleges to get the classes started locally this year. A continuation of a half-cent sales tax beginning July 1 also is expected to generate around $410,000 in revenue that will go toward paving county roads. The commissioners said a few roads have been identified - Highway M to the South Outer Road, Pendleton Cut-Off and Town Branch - but didn't do so until questioned by Thomas. So far, progress has been stalled since several property owners are unwilling to give up an extra 10 feet of right of way in some instances, the commissioners said. Also included in the budget is the proposed tax rates for the general revenue fund and the road and bridge fund. The commissioners set the general revenue at 12.91 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and a rate of 14.88 cents for the road and bridge fund. In 2009, the tax rates were 12.03 cents for general revenue and 16.81 cents for road and bridges. The budget for the various county funds is as follows: law enforcement ($3,134,422), capital improvements ($6,931,937), road and bridge ($2,425,987), road and bridge capital ($260,000), assessment ($444,952) and federal grants ($1,316,024).