Jul. 19--Ada County commissioners plan to spend $22 million less than last year, and they don't plan to increase the part of the budget funded by property taxes -- though Idaho law would let them boost it by 3 percent.

This is the fourth year the county has taken a pass on the allowed increase, but commissioners warn that since property values declined this year, the county's levy rate will increase.

But it's unlikely the county's portion of your overall tax bill will increase, commissioners said Friday.

Under the proposed budget, the county is expected to collect $87 million in property taxes. The $1.6 million increase over last year comes from new properties not included on last year's tax roll.

Here's how commissioners plan to save money:

- A 50 percent reduction in training and travel, except when required to maintain professional certification.

® 55 staff reductions from the beginning of fiscal year 2009. The county has eliminated 59 positions, but the 2009-10 budget adds three employees in the Ada County Sheriff's Office and an additional employee in the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

- The consolidation of the county's Public Information Department.

- A moratorium on all maintenance and operations costs, including major capital expense projects.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the tentative 2009-2010 budget at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Ada County Courthouse, 200 W. Front St., Boise.

Commissioners will officially set the tentative budget on Thursday. They plan to set the final budget Aug. 11.

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