Hastings County approves 2012 budget

Hastings County has approved its budget for 2012.

Hastings County Council gave its stamp of approval to a $120 million budget that shows a tax increase under 2%.

On a house assessed at $182,000, this means a tax hike of 1.66% or $8.60.

Administrator Jim Pine says this reflects increased assessment in the county; but Pine says the county faces a challenge this year with six union contracts up for negotiations.