FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted to approve the Budget Committee’s $5.04 million spending package for 2010-11.

The budget is an increase of $142,299 over the current $4.9 million budget.

Due to less anticipated revenue and not using any of the county’s undesignated funds, the amount county towns will be assessed collectively will be $436,199 more than this year for a total of $4.58 million. Previously, commissioners considered taking $200,000 from undesignated fund to help offset taxes but Treasurer Karen Robinson advised against it to let the account build up to have three months of operating expenses as auditors recommend. In 2009-10 budget, $350,000 was used to offset taxes from that account.

Commissioners also approved the Budget Committee’s recommendation to increase the county’s LD1 tax cap to $4.58 million.

The budget also contains money for a 2 percent cost-of-living raises for nonunion employees. Union negotiations are ongoing.

It also decreases the amount of a program grant to Tri-County Mental Health services to $30,000, from a requested $39,600. Commissioners had initially approved $33,000 to the agency.

It increases the amount to Western Maine Community Action to $40,000. Commissioners had initially approved $33,000.

Commissioner Fred Hardy of New Sharon said he doesn’t agree with increasing grants to agencies but was at the Budget Committee’s public hearing and listened to the discussion and saw how the votes went.

He made the motion to approve the Budget Committee’s recommendation of $274,860 for program grants, which was unanimously approved.

The spending plan also increases Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Director Tim Hardy’s paid time to 40 hours to give him a salary of $43,239.

Hardy is on salary and works many more hours than 40 but at least he’ll be compensated for 40, Commission Chairman Gary McGrane of Jay said.

The budget also increases Deputy EMA Manager Olive Toothaker’s hours to 35 to give her a pay of $32,777.

Commissioners also approved other adjustments to coincide with the budget panel’s plan.

McGrane thanked the Budget Committee members for their work.

It was a very grueling process in hard economic times, McGrane said.

In other business, commissioners voted to hire Nathan Reid of Strong as a full-time county patrol deputy. He currently works for Wilton Police Department. He is expected to start with the county the second week of July, Sheriff Dennis Pike said. Prior to Wilton, Reid worked patrol for Farmington Police Department and as a corrections officer at the Franklin County Detention Center.

Commissioners also approved Jane Proctor of Weld and Keith Barton of Farmington as part-time patrol deputies. They also approved Diane Cerino of Weld as a part-time dispatcher. She had lost her full-time job at the detention center when the state changed the jail’s mission to a 72-hour holding facility. She still works part-time in corrections.

The commission also accepted the resignation of Kyle Ellis of Wilton as a full-time dispatcher. He has taken another job but will remain a part-time dispatcher.

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