County Judge Bill McElhaney and Auditor Ann McCuiston presented a balanced budget for fiscal year 2013 to commissioners in a workshop Wednesday.

The proposed $62,739,007 budget is balanced with $571,700 from cash reserves, and it includes money for raises.

“Overall, we’re in better shape this year and able to give an increase (in pay),” McElhaney said. “Last year we were looking at no raise and having to possibly use more than $900,000 (from cash reserves). I think it goes back to all the people in those departments taking care of taxpayers’ money.”

The budget appears smaller than last year’s $85 million budget because the college branch maintenance tax is not in the general fund. Construction is complete.

One of the biggest additions to the 2013 budget is $72,043 to establish the Collection Agency Department. The county was required by the state’s Office of Court Administration to establish this department since the population is now more than 50,000.

Commissioners have proposed a tax rate of 37.8979 cents per $100 valuation, which is the effective rate. They tentatively plan to meet Wednesday, Aug. 15, to approve the tax rate and budget.