A combination of increased tax levies, new taxable property growth and a road mill levy approved by voters last year will bring an additional $1.44 million into the Lewis and Clark County coffers in fiscal year 2008.

County commissioners on Thursday agreed to raise local taxes the maximum allowed under state law: 1.53 percent, or half the three-year average inflation rate. Newly taxable property will bring in about $612,000 in the coming year.

Finance Director Nancy Everson and Commissioner Ed Tinsley noted that money from new growth throughout the county allows officials to keep pace, but the county isn't able to expand services by strengthening the Sheriff's Office or adding pavement to roadways based on those dollars alone.

"The new growth allows us to maintain the level of service we've had," Everson said. "We certainly couldn't add new services."

A $500,000 road levy approved by voters last November gives the Public Works Department some extra muscle to deal with heavily used or failing roadways. Commissioners also agreed to raise the permissive health levy by about $54,000 to cover an increase in health insurance costs. Solid waste fees went up slightly in the Scratchgravel and Marysville districts, and commissioners agreed to a 10 percent increase in fees to fund the Water Quality Protection District.

Commission Chair Mike Murray said the water district fee increase is smaller than it sounds -- the residential rate went from $4.95 per year to $5.45.

Property taxes will add $18.08 million in revenue this year, up from $16.65 million in fiscal year 2007.

Reporter Larry Kline can be reached at larry.kline@

helenair.com or 447-4075.