County employees will get a 3 percent cost-of-living raise in the coming budget year but merit system raises for workers will be suspended, a cost-saving measure similar to the one County Commissioners implemented this budget year.

Last year the county suspended the cost-of-living adjustment and paid the merit system raises.

The cost-of-living raises — which will cost the county $425,000 — are part of the $37,098,244 million balanced budget approved by commissioners during their regular meeting Monday. The fiscal 2017 budget was $35.7 million.

The fiscal 2018 budget includes total annual debt payment of $2.8 million for leases and sales, a bond issue refunding, and the debt payment on 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2016 bond issues.

The budget includes mostly level funding of appropriations made to agencies and other groups that provide services to county residents, though a few appropriations were cut this year for cost-saving purposes, said County Administrator Pam Ball.

Some of those receiving more money include Circuit Courts, $277,185 (up from $228,824); Board of Registrars, $75,103 (up from $59,472); Information Technology, $612,295 (up from $477,559); Coroner, $82,105 (up slightly from $81,888); Youth Services, $129,763 (up from 129,513); Courthouse Security, $216,614 (up from $207,600); Farmers Market, $12,450 (up from $12,150); Veterans Service Office, $12,278 (up from $12,078); and Forestry Commission, $9,270 (up from $9,125).

Some of those receiving level funding include Industrial Development Board, $90,000; Public Health Office, $2,500; North Alabama Mental Health, $2,025; Retired Senior Volunteer Program, $2,500; services for the indigent, $3,500; Boys & Girls Club, $2,500; Limestone County Family Resource Center, $20,000; Limestone County Child Advocacy Center, $20,000; Community Action Partnership, $5,000; Learn-to-Read Council, $7,500; Pryor Field Airport Authority, $30,000; Athens-Limestone Public Library, $80,000; North Alabama Regional Council of Governments, $440; and Limestone County Volunteer Fire Department, $1,500.

Some of those receiving less money include Spirit of Athens, $12,500 (down $5,000 from $17,500); Athens-Limestone Clean Community, $6,000 (down $2,000 from $8,000); Beautification Board, $1,500 (down $1,000 from $2,500).

Also Monday, commissioners approved the following:

• Resolution granting a one-time lump sum payment to eligible retirees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees as provided for by Section 2, Act 367, of the Regular Session of the 2017 Alabama Legislature.

The Legislature passed the one-time payment, which gives retirees and beneficiaries $2 per month of service not to exceed $300. (Total cost to Limestone will be $58,714);

• One-year contract with Southern Health Partners for inmate healthcare in the amount of $591,222;

• Deputy staffing plan that begins Oct. 1 and includes reclassifying four deputy positions to patrol sergeants, reclassifying four corrections officer positions to correction corporals and adding one property appraiser;

• Approving job descriptions for patrol sergeant and corrections corporal; and

• Approving a 25 mph speed limit on Bill Walker Road and a 30 mph speed limit on Rochelle Road.