PICKENS — Another year, another bypassed tax increase in Pickens County.

In a summary outlining an early fiscal year 2009 draft budget, there is no tax increase for the general, library and Tri-County Technical College funds. A $56 million total budget includes a $36.5 million general fund, an up 3.2 percent increase from fiscal year 2008. The overall funds are up 2.9 percent from last year.

County Administrator Chap Hurst said revenue from EMS fees, state aid to subdivision, investment income and other sources offset additional costs through more personnel, pay adjustments and rising health insurance expenses.

Increased costs include a 3 percent raise for all county employees, based on cost of living adjustment standards, which would be effective in the first payroll of fiscal year 2009. Hurst said the rising cost of health care is believed to cause a 22 percent increase in health insurance.

There is also money for one part-time animal control position in this draft and four full-time positions to staff the newly created Springs Fire District. That district is responsible for the only tax increase in the county, with the Vineyards fire district requesting a millage increase.

A budget summary given to Pickens County Council on Monday also outlines projects to be funded by the budget, including $2 million for road resurfacing and bridge replacements, including bridges on Strawberry Lane, Golden Creek Road, Gibson Road and Anderson Circle.

Magistrate Court has the largest budget increase in this draft, with a $1.5 million increase to help cover a centralized office and a recording machine. The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office would see a $1.1 million increase to make way for a radio system upgrade and vehicle replacements.

It takes three readings from council to pass the budget. Council will have a budget work session at 6 p.m. Thursday in the main conference room of the Pickens County Administration Facility in Pickens.