W.T. Eckert reports in The Daily Mail the Greene County Legislature Wed., Dec. 5, approved the county's 2013 budget, totaling slightly more than $100 million. The plan, which requires a 2.7 percent increase in the tax levy, encountered only slight opposition. The spending plan includes an increase in the county's contribution to the state retirement system, a larger general fund balance and additional funds for the county road fund. Democrat Chris Pfister of Athens said that while he agreed with the content of the budget he voted against the plan because of the process. He said lawmakers were not given ample opportunity to discuss the budget as a group. Republican Joseph Izzo of Catskill voted in support of the plan, but agreed with Pfister, saying details of the budgeting process need to be addressed. Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh called the approved budget very good for the taxpayers of Greene County. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.