Like almost every aspect of current society, the cost of running county government is going up.

According to the preliminary 2009 budget presented Tuesday to the Meeker County Board, county expenditures in 2009 will increase by $2.68 million over what is being spent in the current year.

This represents an expenditure boost of 11.6 percent and will result in a 7.8 percent increase in the local levy, which will go up to $11,141,720 — $808,054 more than the current local levy.

Overall, the 2009 budget calls for total expenditures of $25,842,189.

The preliminary budget and levy must be presented to the county auditor by Sept. 15. After that date, commissioners by law cannot increase budget figures but may reduce them. Changes are not often made to the adopted preliminary budget figures.

Meeker County’s tax capacity has increased by about 10 percent over 2007. Two percent of the boost stems from new construction and 8 percent results from increased valuation.

If the actual tax rate is figured based on 2008 tax capacity data, the proposed 2009 budget would actually reduce it by about 3 percent.

Read more from the county board meeting in the Sept. 4 Independent Review.