TOWNSEND -- With few questions or comments from the public, the Broadwater County Commission approved a $7.6 million draft budget for fiscal year 2008-2009.

The budget goes to final hearing and adoption on Sept. 15.

Highlights of this year's budget include a 2.8 percent cost of living salary increase for county employees as well as covering a 14 percent jump in health insurance premiums, said Chairman Gail Vennes.

To pay for the salary increase, the county has had to dip into a 2006-2007 protested tax fund for NorthWestern Energy.

The county will be transferring $61,819 from that fund, Vennes said, leaving $52,138 in the fund.

Of the six companies that have protested taxes in Broadwater County, NorthWestern Energy is closest to resolving its protest in court, said Vennes.

In other matters, the commission:

n denied a variance for Amended Quiet Subdivision Lot 13 Subsequent Minor Subdivision, which would have allowed the owner to not provide power to one of the lots at this time. The commissioners said that if the variance were approved it could set a precedent for other subdivisions to not provide power to all lots; and

n approved abandonment of Parker Loop from Highway 285 to Johnny Gulch Road. Safety concerns for young children who live adjacent to the road were a major reason for the closure. "No access (to public land) is denied," said Vennes.

Click here to read a previous story about the Broadwater County budget.

Reporter Marga Lincoln: 447-4074 or marga.lincoln@helenair.com