The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the 2007 Washington County Budget and certified the 2007 levy at its regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 12. The new levy of $75.9 million is a 7.9 percent increase over the 2006 levy. County Administrator Jim Schug said much of that increase can be attributed to over $80 million in capital projects related to county efforts to bring services close to where many residents live and work and to improve public safety and roads. Two new county services centers are opening in 2007 in Cottage Grove and Forest Lake. A new, expanded library will open in Forest Lake in the same building as the new service center. The budget also includes implementation of a new, more reliable metro-wide public safety radio system and major road projects in Forest Lake, Woodbury and Stillwater/Grant. The county board also approved a $2.8 million levy for the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Adoption of the budget and certifying the levy ends the 2007 budget process, which formally began in August and includes work from as early as spring 2006.

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