NORWICH – The county’s lead financial planners this week mulled over the four tentative budgets that comprise the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department for next year, projected to cost local taxpayers $2.9 million.

The combined spending plan for the new facility, safety and emergency services is $6 million.

Despite an increased payroll of about $1 million for corrections officers, plus additional utilities, food and other costs associated with operating the one-year-old Public Safety Facility, officials felt safe estimating only a slight increase over last year’s local share on the levy.

The $26 million complex, completed last November, was afforded by $8 million in eight-year bonds and $6 million in five-year bond anticipation notes. The other $12 million came from surplus and from revenues generated by the 1 percent increase in the county sales tax.

Officials reported a balance of $4 million from sales tax earlier this summer, enough to make loan payments this year and next.