Butler County residents should expect to see their property taxes go up 3 mills next year.

The proposed $150.7 million county budget for 2016 has a $4.4 million deficit.

“Once again, our expenses exceed our revenue,” said county chief clerk Amy Wilson said.

The current tax rate is 24.6 mills, with 3.9 mills for debt service. The proposed rate is 27.6 mills.

Wilson said that the average homeowner would see a $65 increase in his county tax bill.

County Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said the current and past commissioners have not increased taxes “to a proper level” and have continued to take money out of the fund balance without being able to put much back into it.

“This is not good,” McCarrier said.

Even with an increase, McCarrier said the county’s taxes would be lower than surrounding counties.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein said that he would not vote for an increase.

“We’re taking a lot of money out of people’s pockets,” Eckstein said.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton said the commissioners could increase taxes less, but that would leave the new commissioners who take office in January with a struggle.

“It’s something that we need to do,” Pinkerton said.