After four days of discussion, interim County Administrator Jack Krakeel is proud of his first budget.

“We’ve got a balanced budget, and they (the county commission) will make the final decisions during their last two meetings in June,” Krakeel said.

This year’s $50.1 million county budget includes the tentative approval of hiring 26 full-time and five part-time employees.

The biggest winner may have been the sheriff’s department. For the first time since the unit was established in 1989, the County Commission agreed to add three officers to the Sheriff’s Drug Task force.

The traffic division will also get two new officers, so Major Wayne Hannah’s division will now be able to patrol the county’s roads between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Currently, the only patrol cars on the road during those hours are used by the patrol division, which goes out on resident calls and burglar alarm calls.

The county commission office will get a deputy clerk, to help deal with the public and help out the small department.

Other new positions include a building plans examiner, a program coordinator in the recreation department and one library assistant.

The county will also be able to fund more than $4 million in capital projects, including $861,000 for Kenwood Park and $90,000 for early warning sirens.

Krakeel said the items will be funded by money set aside in the county’s reserves.

The county is expected to set the millage rate by the end of August.

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