The Jackson County budget decreases again, but sales tax revenues go up as people buy more.
The county legislature on Monday adopted a $292.6 million budget, a $4.7 million decrease from last year.
“This is a leaner, but responsible budget for Jackson County,” County Executive Mike Sanders said in a press release.
It is the eight consecutive year of budget decreases, he said, and this year’s budget is 19 percent smaller than the $361.7 million budget in 2010.
“We’ve been able to shrink our budget, keeping it balanced, without reducing county services or raising county property taxes,” he said.
Also, increased sales tax revenues last year indicate the economy may be turning around, he said.
Last year, sales tax revenue increased 10 percent and another 5 percent increase is projected for this year.
The county’s operating tax levy for 2015 will decrease to 0.5141 cents per $100 assessed value, the lowest level since 1996.
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