County sets public hearing to discuss proposed budget

HERNANDO — The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors has set Sept. 4 for a public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2013 $102 million county budget.

The proposal calls for a 3 percent raise for county employees and no millage rate increase.

The Commercial Appeal reports supervisors discussed the proposed budget during a lengthy meeting that was a continuation of a 10-hour session last Monday.

County Administrator Michael Garriaga said department heads were told to cut their budgets by 5 percent. He also informed the board that cuts were made to several agencies that receive county funds including the state health department, which had $160,000 sliced from its funding.

The board is required to approve the budget and set the millage by Sept. 15. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.