County millage dropped last year dropped .25 to 7.727 for the first change since fiscal 1995. If all other revenue sources remain generally stable, the commission's only option is cutting back services. Lawmakers half jokingly discussed scaling back money for soccer field improvements, a pet project of Commissioner Don Gifford, R-1st District. Officials estimate a 6 percent increase in property tax revenues in 2001 and only 5 percent in 2002. With departmental requests still arriving, County Manager Jim Keene saw no immediate way to stem rising county costs.
Insurance companies handle claims above the deductible.