FARMINGTON — The county Budget Committee has overridden the County Commission’s decision to add $10,000 to the budget for communications.

The Budget Committee on Monday voted 8-0 to approve a $6.56 million budget, which represents a 5 percent increase from the current $6.21 million budget, according to Vickie Braley, Franklin County finance manager.

The committee originally approved the budget May 31, but commissioners then voted to add an additional $10,000 for equipment reserves in the Communications Department. 

Budget discussions this year also included debate about funding for program grants, money the county gives to nonprofits that run social services such as transportation, heating assistance and resources for the elderly and disabled.

Two of the three commissioners sought to cut back on program grants by about $20,000 from the amount the Budget Committee requested, but the committee ultimately decided to keep the funding at $61,200, a cut of about $5,000 from current spending.

Commissioners Charlie Webster and Terry Brann have said they aim to eliminate county funding for program grants by 2019-20. 

Franklin County Courthouse in Farmington. (File photo)