The Washington County Board of Supervisors approved the fiscal year 2022 budget Tuesday.

The budget shows an increase in general services taxable valuation from $1,316,655,598 last year to $1,355,381,551 this upcoming fiscal year and an increase in rural services taxable valuation from $774,051,676 last year to $798,561,003 for next fiscal year. The general basic property tax rate is exceeding the $3.50 statutory minimum for $3.65, due to an unusual need for additional moneys to permit continuance of programs which provide substantial benefit to county residents, according to Budget Director Cyndi Sinn. She also noted a reduced rural services basic levy at $10.17 per $1,000 due to revenues from the Local Option Sales & Services Tax. The urban tax rate per $1,000 valuation is set at $8.26.