Worcester County Commissioners recently approved the county’s fiscal 2015 budget, closing an $8.5 million revenue shortfall, providing a salary increase for employees, and maintaining tax rates.

As reported by the Salisbury Daily Times:

The operating budget includes $178 million in appropriations, which represents an increase of $9.3 million, or 5.5 percent, over the fiscal 2014 budget.

The budget includes a 3 percent salary increase for county employees and board of education employees, which includes a 0.5 percent cost of living adjustment, a step increment and longevity pay for those eligible. Starting teacher pay would increase from $42,222 to $42,433.

Officials maintained the existing real property tax rate of 77 cents for every $100 of assessed property value. With a slight drop in assessed property values, it means property tax revenue will decrease $466,491.

The Board of Education is funded at $78 million, a $2.2 million increase over the current year.

The county’s budget document summarizes tax rates, revenues, and expenditures.

Additional budget information can be found on the county’s website.