If Scotland County Manager Kevin Patterson and most of the county commissioners have their way, the current tax rate of $1.02 per $100 of valuation will remain in effect for the next fiscal year.

Patterson announced his recommendations for the 2010 county budget in a Monday night meeting of the Scotland County Commissioners.

"My recommended budget for the general fund, not including school funding, reduces the general fund by $2,872,423," Patterson said. "My recommended tax rate remains at $1.02. I realize that the Board has a priority to lower the tax burden to the citizens of Scotland County, (but) my concern is if the Board lowers the tax rate this year, it will have to raise taxes or reduce services within the next two years based on the state revenue cuts to counties."

Commissioner Betty Blue Gholston said that every commissioner "was looking forward to cutting the tax rate below $1, but it is not logical to do it this year in this economy. We have stimulus money this year, but we won't next year, and it is only sound fiscal management to for the county to maintain the present rate of $1.02."

Commissioner Bob Davis and John Alford took similar positions, while Commissioner Guy McCook suggested that more time be devoted to the subject.

"I understand where Betty Blue Gholston is coming from, but I think it's a little early to decide whether or not to cut the tax rate," McCook said. "It's going to be hard to cut it, I agree, but if we could reduce the rate below $1 it would help those hurting the most, those who have lost jobs and are still paying taxes."

Gholston suggested that McCook and Patterson meet to discuss the issue.

"Most of us have concluded that we can't lower the tax rate, but if there is a way, perhaps Guy (McCook) and Kevin (Patterson) can find it."

A tentative date for a public hearing on the budget was set for the week of June 22.