Jeanette Wolfberg is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Columbia County Board of Supervisors adopted the 2018 County Budget December 13. The budget calls for spending nearly $150 million, of which $42.5 million is expected to come from the tax levy. The 2018 tax levy will be $769,500 higher than for last year, an increase of 1.84%. In a letter to the public following passage of the budget, Matt Murell, Republican of Stockport and chairman of the Board of Supervisors, wrote, “This budget has been composed with no cuts in services for residents, no reduction in programs, and no county work force reduction while, importantly, the county remains attuned to the needs of those who may face adverse personal situations…. This budget enables the county to continue its commitment to Columbia-Greene Community College, as well as …[purchasing] a new emergency services training center for our volunteer firemen and emergency service workers.” Murell also said the county has “developed a comprehensive plan to address the opioid epidemic” and has increased school security and enhanced the sheriff’s drug enforcement and education capabilities. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.