The Lincoln County estimated budget for 2008 is $10.3 million with $8.9 million to be raised from taxes. The 2007 total budget was $9.6 million with $8.2 million raised from taxes.

The Lincoln County Advisory Budget Committee held its first work session October 11, with the second work session scheduled for October 25.The 2008 budget will be finalized after the Commissioners receive the 2007 year-end audit early in 2008, according to County Administrator James McMahon.

The county departments have made the following requests for their 2008 budget:

Request 2008 Budget 2007 District Court $ 36,247 $ 34,774

Superior Court $ 36,606 $ 34,258

EMA $132,258 $124,425

Dist. Attorney $116,741 $110,005

County Comm. $195,201 $217,146

County Treas. $ 65,826 $ 64,139

County Builds. $247,856 $222,071

TBRJail $2,829,410 $2,765,601

Telec/911 $680,075 $658,779

Registry Deed $209,278 $200,717

Registry Prob. $118,632 $125,826

Sheriff Dept $2,085,999 $1,899,664

Adv, & Prom. $800 $800

Auditing $10,500 $10,500

Debt Service $1,134,478 $1,056,128

Interest $90,000 $45,000

Pln/Econo/Del.$153,935 $135,040

Recycling $266,124 $264,260

Emply.Benfts $1,230,355 $1,166.478

Exts. Assoc. $52, 983 $51,589

County Copiers 0 $10,500

Progm. Grants $32,525 $27,306

Insurance $206,449 $193,100

The county commissioners' requested budget is showing a decrease of over 10 percent. The Sheriff's Department budget is showing an increase of nearly 10 percent.

Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett will defend his budget before the budget committee at Thursday's budget workshop.

The county is estimating a revenue of $1.4 million for 2008, an increase of 1.01 percent over last year.

The reserve accounts are showing a 179 percent increase over last year. Most of the increases are reflected in the following accounts that were not budgeted in 2007: building and grounds; $100,000; EMA and communications $15,000; Term pay and/or adjustments, $15,000; unemployment, $20,000.

Other reserve accounts include: Roads and Bridges, $10,000, the same budgeted in 2007. The Sheriff's Office Info and Tech request of $147,600 for 2008, $100,000 was budgeted in 2007. The total reserve accounts amount is estimated to be $307,600. The 2007 reserve accounts totaled $110,000.

The budget workshop will begin at 7 p.m. with an agenda of 14 budget presentations.