The near $90,000,000.00 budget funds nearly fifty different county departments including the general fund, school system, highway department, convenience centers, libraries and so on. The largest increase in any department in the new budget is in the sheriff/jail departments.

Loudon county sheriff, Jimmy Davis, has asked for four new employees for the sheriff's department and raises for all employees totaling over $670,000.00. In addition there are requests for other department operating expense increases of more than $250,000.00.

According to the sheriff, the increase in salaries is needed to retain and attract qualified employees. The raises range from a couple of thousand to nearly twelve thousand. See table below. Individual Base is current salaries.

The budget committee is also recommending a $1,200.00 cost of living adjustment, COLA, for all full time employees and 5% COLA for part time employees. $85,000.00 increased contributions the four volunteer fire departments. Also, included in the new budget will be the consideration of a thirty cent property tax increase for the proposed Loudon County schools building program.

Hopefully the budget committee will finish the budget in the next week or so.