Guthrie County officially has a new operating budget for next fiscal year.

The county’s Board of Supervisors approved the fiscal year 2014-15 budget yesterday with a 3-2 vote.  Supervisors Clifford Carney, Tom Rutledge and Jerry Caraher voted for approval of the budget as presented, while Mike Dickson and Everett Grasty voted against.

The Supervisors originally split 2-2 in voting for budget approval earlier this week when Caraher was absent from the public budget hearing.

As we reported earlier this week, the budget for next fiscal year calls for property taxes to increase in Guthrie County by just over $200,000.

As for county departments, four service areas will see a decrease in their overall budget next year compared to the budget they received this current fiscal year.

The mental health, mental retardation and developmental disabilities area will see a $246,500 budget decrease, county environment and education will see a drop of nearly $30,000, and roads and transportation has a budget almost $58,000 smaller than the current year.

The administration budget takes a hit of $98,500 next year.  Also, the county will spend around $31,000 less on capital projects next fiscal year.

Public safety and legal services is the area that will see the biggest increase in its budget next year, receiving a bump of about $138,000.