IN BRIEF: The county is proposing a budget of $55.7 million for 2012, which would reportedly be a 1 percent increase over 2011's budget.

Chairman Richard Oden said that increase would be taken from the fund balance, or the amount of budget that is not spent from 2011. Finance Director Roselyn Miller said the departments were currently about 5 percent under budget, with two months left in the fiscal year. 

Oden said the increase was due to cost increases that were "out of our control," such as fuel costs.

There is also $350,000 set aside in a contingency fund for the hiring of five additional personnel in various departments, due to the proposed change in the Superior Court criminal trial calendar.