GARNETT — Preliminary Anderson County department budgets for next year show those departments $400,000 over the spending levels for this year. Department budget requests are a little more than $4.8 million. Because the requests are higher and because overall property values in the county are lower this year, that likely means a tax increase for most property owners. The county commissioners are working on the budget for next year. Budget hearings are open to the public, but they tend to be sparsely attended.
