By SHARON KILPATRICK

By SHARON KILPATRICK

Rappahannock Newt Staff Writer

The Board of Supervisors adopted the county budget Tuesday night and set the tax rate at 69 cents per hundred on real estate, an 11 percent increase over the current rate of 62 cents.

The board cut $6,700 from the budget by consensus. The appropriation to the Rappahannock Animal Welfare League for taking care of animals at the county’s shelter was cut by $2,700. RAWL had asked for a $5,400 increase from $550 per month to $1,000 per month. The supervisors agreed to fund half of the increase, paying $775 per month.

The rest of the cut came from the category of other in the public assistance part of the budget. That portion was $5,000. The supervisors agreed to leave $1,000 in for Rappahannock Legal Services and to cut out entirely requests of other agencies.

With those cuts the total amount of the budget is $9.16 million, up about 6.4 percent .from the current budget. Most of the increase of $553,000 is for schools.

The budget and tax rates were approved on 4 to 0 votes. Jackson District representative Ellis Bingham was absent. County Administrator John McCarthy said Col. Bingham had to miss the meeting because of responsibilities connected to his job in Fauquier County. Mr. McCarthy reported that Col. Bingham said he would support the budget as presented.

The library’s request for an additional $9,077 in county funds survived the budget process. Hampton District representative Mike Massie visited the library and reported, “I think their request is justified, and I’m going to support it.”

Stonewall-Hawthom District representative Robert Anderson agreed saying, “I think they'll use the money wisely.”

Just before the budget vote Mr. Massie said, “There are some hefty increases in the budget I think they’re justified, and that’s why I’m going to vote for them. It’s also justified for us not to expect to see these big increases again next year.”