The Butler County commissioners are considering a property tax hike for 2013. Bill O’Donnell, the former chief county clerk who is a budget consultant, said a tax increase is needed next year. “We’re going to propose a 2-mill increase,” he said. A detailed budget will be presented at the commissioners’ meeting Wednesday, which starts at 10 a.m. The current tax rate is 23.6 mills. The last time the county raised taxes was in 2009. Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said various factors are contributing to a likely tax hike. Along with an $800,000 increase in employee hospitalization, there will be a total of $1 million increase in workers’ salaries set by union contracts. McCarrier said the continuing deficit of the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center also is a factor. “We’re predicting $1.4 million there,” he said. And he said the air-conditioning units on the government center roof need replaced. “It just goes on and on,” he said.
