BURLINGTON — Boone County's capital budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 would increase by nearly $25 million — or nearly 109 percent — over last year's.

        According to county figures, nearly $48 million of the county's proposed $99 million budget is for capital projects. The two largest are $15 million for a public safety building on Idlewild Road and $8 million for various water projects in western Boone County.

        Last year's capital budget called for about $23 million in expenditures.

        But Finance Director Lisa Buerkley said most of the increase actually comes from bonds the county plans to issue over the next year.

        Ms. Buerkley said when bond proceeds — which she said merely pass through county coffers — are subtracted, the actual capital budget increase is much smaller, an 8.7 percent jump from $23 million to $25 million.

        That means the total operating budget minus bond issues is about $74 million, compared to the current fiscal year's $69.9 million, a $4.1 million (5.8 percent) increase.

        Other items include: $6.8 million for protection to people and property, $2.5 million to purchase land for park development and $1.1 million for social services.

        At 57 percent of the total budget, capital projects comprise the largest portion of county expenses. Administration is next at 21 percent, followed by general government at 5 percent.

        Among individual items, the budget for animal control calls for an increase from nearly $320,000 to around $425,000.

        Taxes bring in 77 percent of general operating revenue. Of that, 40 percent comes from payroll taxes, and another 17 percent from real property.

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