GF County approves budget

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The Grand Forks County Commission gave final approval today to its 2011 budget that includes a 2.82-mill increase.

The budget includes a 1-percent pay raise for employees, effective Jan. 1, plus a 2.5-percent step wage increase, effective on employees’ anniversaries of county employment.

The 2.82-mill increase means property taxes will increase $12.69 annually for each $100,000 of residential property value, and $14.10 for each $100,000 of commercial or agricultural property.

The $38.5 million overall budget, which was approved unanimously, includes about 5 mills in unfunded mandates, including federal programs for Social Services and other services that the county has to pay.

In other action, the commission:

- Granted a zoning variance to John Gregoire for a nine-lot residential subdivision, Wilson Creek Subdivision, on 41 acres located one mile south of Merrifield, N.D.

- Reappointed Dr. Mary Ann Sens as county coroner for a five-year term. Previous terms were two years.

- Acknowledged approval of a federal Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program grant of $173,597. The money is to be used to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services and/or to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of forensic evidence.

Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send e-mail to kbonham@gfherald.com.

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