DOBSON — On Monday night, county citizens will be given the chance to voice their opinion on the proposed 2010-2011 budget at the Surry County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The public hearing is scheduled to take place shortly after the meeting begins at 6 p.m. After the public hearing is held, the commissioners are free to vote on the budget then or schedule another budget work session.

County Manager Dennis Thompson said the commissioners have voted on the budget the night of the public hearing for the last few years. But if the commissioners hear things that make them want to discuss the budget further, then Thompson said they will likely schedule a meeting for a night later that week. The commissioners must pass the budget by July 1.

This year, Thompson did not recommend any tax rate or fee increases for next year’s budget. The proposed budget totals roughly $74 million, down $2 million from the present budget the county is operating under.

At a budget meeting on Wednesday, the commissioners did not have any suggested changes to the budget. The general consensus was not to change the fire district tax rates despite requests from several departments to raise their rates.

Citizens can inspect a copy of the proposed budget in the office of the clerk to the board. The office is on the third floor of the Surry County Government Center.

After the public hearing on Monday, the board will recognize some Boy Scouts of America leaders and people nominated by the Board of Elections.

Jack Gardin, water and sewer projects coordinator, is scheduled to speak before the commissioners at 6:45 p.m. regarding several water and sewer projects. First, Gardin will discuss with the board a proposed water and sewer project at Cody Creek. Gardin proposed the idea of grant-funded water and sewer lines to Cody Creek at the board’s planning retreat earlier this year.

In a recent memo to the commissioners, Gardin explained that the 25 jobs to be created at Cody Creek do not fit the requirements of the Commerce Finance Center grant that was expected for the project. Cody Creek and the county would now need to split the cost not covered by the commerce grant, which would amount to $127,750 needed from the county.

Gardin also will talk about extension of a water line to the end of Gentry Road to pick up two businesses. The total cost of the extension would be $49,813. The final item to be discussed by Gardin is non-user fees for water and sewer services. Non-users of public utilities in service areas are supposed to be charged a non-user fee, but Gardin said this has not been enforced in the past. He suggests enforcing it now.

The commissioners will take a short break after Gardin’s items of discussion, then the county manager will present several general business items. The board will conclude the meeting after going into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

The meetings of the Surry County Board of Commissioners are held at the Surry County Government Center, 118 Hamby Road, Suite 329, Dobson. Any person with a disability who needs an accommodation at the meeting should call the county manager’s office at 401-8201. Elkin residents should call 366-8201.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.