The Jefferson County Commission Tuesday boosted the museum budget by $3,000 to cover a quarter-time museum director.

Otherwise, the $12.86 million fiscal year 2008-2009 budget remained largely unchanged from the preliminary budget, said Commission Chairman Ken Weber.

It was adopted by a vote of 2-0, with Weber and Commissioner Tom Lythgoe voting aye, and Commissioner Chuck Notbohm abstaining.

Notbohm did not return an IR phone call requesting his comment.

Weber said that Notbohm had complained about the process used for drafting the budget.

This year's budget includes a 3.2 percent cost of living salary increase for staff and elected officials as well as a series of ambitious projects.

Major ticket items are a Montana City sewer and water district study and a $214,519 loan to cover purchase and upgrading of the historic Wagner house.

The budget includes $11.1 million in expenditures and approximately $1.7 million in reserves.

Reporter Marga Lincoln: marga.lincoln@helenair.com

or 447-4074