Wood County commissioners continued budget deliberations Tuesday, with the news that the county’s property values have risen at a much lower rate than recent years.

County Judge Kevin White said that while values rose 20% two years ago and 15.66% last year, the certified values announced this week show just a 2.43% increase, which translates to less opportunity for new county revenue to cover items requested in the 2024-25 budget.

The big ticket item still to come will be when commissioners learn next week the financial impact of rising health care costs.

Commissioners discussed at length the sheriff’s department’s request for a software program that will download the contents of cell phones for evidence in criminal cases.

The department is having to wait sometimes many months to have that done somewhere else.

The cost is $25,400 per year plus $18,750 the first year for training.

Prec. 4 Commissioner Russell Acker, who is in charge of county facilities, said it is time to consider hiring a full-time maintenance supervisor who can also meet with contractors on construction projects.

He said that he spent more time this year on facilities than on his regular commissioner duties, due to the jail expansion project.