Richard Moody is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Columbia County officials have put forward a $156.5 million preliminary budget for 2019, including a 1.7 percent tax levy increase. The tax increase would average $6 more per $1,000 of assessed property value. The proposed spending plan includes a 1.4 percent decrease in general fund appropriations and increased spending in solid waste, county road and machinery management. “The largest increase in costs is for insurance for employees,” Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matthew Murell said. “That accounts for almost $10 million.” The county is proposing a 7.9 percent increase in the county road fund, to $14.2 million, a 10.6 percent increase in spending on roads and bridges and a 6.5 percent increase in snow removal of county-owned roads, including $100,000 more for salt. The debt service on the road fund will increase 25 percent and include nearly $500,000 in interest payments. Spending on solid waste will go up 9 percent, including an increase in personnel expenditure to allow for the hiring of new employees at the county's transfer stations. The county will contribute a total of $4.3 million to fund Columbia-Greene Community College next year, plus an additional $2 million for the school's capital project. The Columbia County Board of Supervisors will conduct a public hearing on the preliminary budget before the full board votes on the spending plan, 7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 12, at 401 State Street in Hudson. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.