Carly Miller is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Columbia and Greene counties are anticipating an increase in expenses as part of Columbia-Greene Community College’s proposed $17.1 million operating budget for 2018-19, as the school’s enrollment continues to decline. Each county pays a portion of the college’s operating budget based on the student enrollment for each county. Under the spending plan, if approved, Greene County share would increase by nearly $467,000, for a total of $3.1 million. Columbia County’s share could increase by $301,000 to a total of $3.3 million. The contributions by the two counties account for 37.5 percent of the total college budget. The spending plan includes a 3 percent tuition increase, Columbia-Greene Community College President James Campion said. “Historically, this is the biggest increase in sponsor share,” Campion said. The college is facing demographic challenges because of rapidly declining high school populations, both county- and statewide, a low unemployment rate and an aging population in both counties, Campion said. The Greene County Legislature will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget, 6:25 p.m., Aug. 15 in the county building at 411 Main Street in Catskill. The budget must be approved by the Finance and Government Operations committees, followed by the full Legislature after the public hearing. is.