The Limestone County Commission Monday approved a $11.2 million fiscal year 2008 General Fund budget. This amount was up from the 2007 General Fund budget of $10.3 million.

Some of the largest increases in the coming year are in the election budget that more than doubled from $198,995 in 2007 to $404,080, because of the upcoming state and nationwide General Elections. The jail budget also increase from $2.6 million to $3 million, with another $20,000 going to Limestone County Partnership for Children.

Of the General Fund total, $6.2 million went to the Sheriff’s Department, jail and law enforcement programs. Among the requested items included in the sheriff’s budget are 10 patrol cars, one deputy and four jailers, according to Commission Chairman David Seibert.

Other business

In other business, the commission:

• Approved a one-time lump sum payment of $300 per retiree from the Retirement Systems of Alabama in accordance with Act 257 of the regular session of the Legislature.

• Renewed a contract with Information Engineering for computer and phone system maintenance.

• Approved paying $21,000 in over expenditures for the Rails to Trails Phase III Bridge and Trial Improvement grant. County Engineer Richard Sanders said $9,000 of that amount went to his department for administering the Alabama Department of Transportation grant with the remainder going to apply extra rock base to the trail.

• Reappointed Don Mansell to the Pryor Field Airport Authority Board with his term expiring Sept. 30, 2011.

• Approved 3-percent cost of living increase for all county employees.

• Approved a staffing plan and added job descriptions for 14 existing positions and added the position of election director and administrative assistant for the Probate Judge’s Office.

• Approved medical leave for Cody Lewter from Sept. 5 to Oct. 4.

• Approved hiring Leslie Ramsey as a deputy.

• Granted preliminary approval to Jerry McGlocklin Subdivision in District 3 off York Lane; and final approval for Tim Pepper Subdivision in District 1 at New Garden Road and Norman Lane.

• Approved an increase in garbage rates by 7 cents, per the Consumer Price Index, effective Oct. 9. Basic BFI service will now go from $10.96 up to $11.06

• Approved resurfacing Old School House Road, south of Bethel Road; Hays Mill Road and Pettusville Road; and Wooley Springs Road.