According to figures released from the Lincoln County Clerk's office the county budget is up $253,000, a 4.7 percent increase over last year's budget of $5.3 million.

The 2003 budget is $5.6, which includes a three percent salary increase for department heads.

Other items in the budget that show a sufficient increase include: $122,263 for planning and economic development; $60,000 for the regional jail study; and $65,000 for the contingency account.

The planning/economic development budget is up 40.25 percent increase from last year.

The sheriff's department, county jail, and telecommunications/911, makes up over 51 percent of the annual budget.

The sheriff's department budget is $1,222,984, a 10.7 increase from 2002.

The county jail budget is $1,129,243, a 2.6 increase over last year.

The telecommunictions/911 budget is $541,471, a 15.1 percent increase.

Other increases include: District Court, $26,264; last year's budget was $20,353; Emergency Management, $95,966; last year's budget was $94,131;

District Attorney, $87,573; last year's budget was $86,335; County Commissioners, $107,629, last year's budget was $102,726; County Treasurer, $49,933; last year's budget was $47,432; County Buildings, $166,951; last year's budget was $151,263; Registry of Deeds, $186,351; last year's budget was $195,358; Registry of Probate, $87,252; last year's budget was $84,325; Sheriff's Department, $1,222,984, last year's budget was $1,104,141; Auditing, $10,000; last year's budget was $7,100; Debt Service, $53,258; last year's budget was $54,515; Planning/Economic Development. $122,263; last year's budget was $87,175; Solid Waste Management, $192,576; last year's budget was $182,388; Employee Benefits, $1,043,789; last year's budget was $1,069,504; Extension Association, $46,866; last year's budget was $46,866; County Copiers, $14,750; last year's budget was $12,350; Program Grants, $32,964; last year's budget was $38,130; Insurance, $130,394, last year's budget was $117,731. Reserve Accounts, $100,000; last year's was $127,480.

The total expenditures are estimated to be $5,597,108, with estimated revenues of $884,030.

The amount to be raised from taxes is estimated as $4,714,078, compared to $4,467,204 raised last year.