I guess the biggest action we have taken was to adopt a budget.

We were able to cut more than eight hundred thousand dollars from the previous budget. That was a tall accomplishment. On top of that, we were able to provide at least a small raise for all county employees and adequately fund all departments and we fully funded the school board's budget request without a property tax increase.

We took down those silly gun free zone signs from the county buildings and we're in the process of building an addition on to the county office building to better accommodate county government operations.

On the down side, at least in my opinion, we did approve the largest expansion of county government since 1960 with the creation of a second general sessions court. We also passed the largest single tax increase in the county's history to help try to pay a portion of the cost of the new court. That litigation tax will be paid by those using the court system.

The only issue still hanging over the tax payers now, is that law suit filed against them by court clerk Lisa Niles. The case is suppose to go to court in December. If Ms. Niles is successful in her law suit, the commission will likely have no option but to raise property taxes to pay her demands.

Over all, I'd say we've done a pretty good job.