While budget specifics – including total revenues and expenditures – are still being put together, it appears the proposed countywide levy for the next fiscal year beginning July 1 is $8.69 per $1,000 taxable valuation, down from this year’s figure of $8.92 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. Those who live in rural areas who pay both the countywide and rural taxes will see their rate decrease to $12.02 per $1,000 in taxable valuation, down from this year’s amount of $12.25.

Board Chairman Scott Belt said much of the decrease can be attributed to the county’s mental health and disability services going to a regional setup. In other business, the board approved rehab work on a county road that goes west out of Oakland. The work would involve resurfacing county roads G42 to M16 and M16 north to G30, a stretch of 8.5 miles, according to County Engineer John Rasmussen.

The plan is to resurface the current asphalt overlay on concrete with new asphalt. Rasmussen said the current concrete will stay. The work will include the shoulders of the road, he said. Estimated cost is $6.7 million, with $4 million coming out of his budget and the rest from the state. It’s hoped this project can start this year.