The El Paso County Board of Commissioners approved next year’s county budget and lowered the mill levy on real estate to its lowest level in recent history.The county’s mill levy, which is applied to the assessed value of real estate for annual property tax collection, will be 7.673 mills, a 4.2 percent reduction from the 2005 figure of 8.012 mills.Commissioners approved $244 million in spending for 2006. According to the county’s news release, only $197 million is for discretionary spending. Since 2003, the budget has increased an average 2 percent each year.Increases to the 2006 budget include $1.4 million for the primary and general elections, $1.6 million for operational costs at the new judicial complex and $1 million for increased fuel and utility costs.The El Paso County Department of Human Services will realize an increase of $4.4 million. The increase is necessary to qualify for federal matching funds. The county has upped its support of DHS as a result of decreased state funding.The mill levy dedicated to the road and bridge fund remains unchanged. Increased property values equals added funding for highway and related road projects.The 2006 budget includes $61.8 million for public safety, including the jail and sheriff’s office, $25.5 million for public works, $49.8 million for health and welfare and $4 million for parks and leisure services.
