An across-the-board tax increase was approved by Warren County Supervisors Tuesday, meaning people will pay higher rates on their real estate, personal property and vehicles in the coming year.

The vote for the first general tax increase in Warren County since 1993 was approved 5-0.

“Like everyone else, I hate to raise taxes,” said David McDonald, president of the board and District 1 supervisor.

In the same meeting, supervisors set their spending plan for the 12 months starting Oct. 1. It shows higher outlays for pay, including state-approved raises for supervisors and 5 percent for county employees, plus new outlays for courthouse security and new equipment for the 911 Dispatch Center. Higher fuel costs for county vehicles are also reflected in the budget.

“The main area of (increase) is in the area of public safety,” McDonald said.

In presenting the budget, County Administrator John Smith said the general fund will rise from just over $11.9 million to a little more than $12.9 million.

To fund the increase, the millage rate will have to rise 2.41 mills from 81.53 mills to 83.94 mills. Of the increase in millage, 0.55 mills will go to the Vicksburg Warren School District and 1.86 mills will go to the county.

“That means the owner of a $100,000 house with homestead exemption will pay an extra $24.10 and the owner of a $100,000 house without homestead will pay an extra $36.15,” Smith said.

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the value set by the county assessor by the state-set fractional rate of assessment, which varies according to property use. That number is multiplied by the tax or millage rate. Then deductions for those over 65 or disabled and homesteads are applied.

The increases in the general fund will be $279,647 to fund three additional dispatchers and the new computer hardware and software system for the E-911 Dispatch Center. The 5 percent pay raises for county employees will cost $259,948. Additional increases were budgeted for four additional bailiffs for the four courts in Warren County and to operate the new drug court ($92,000) and a fuel adjustment for the sheriff’s department ($20,000).

There were also increases for the road fund, for paying for engineering services and for capital purchases in the Road Department.

Smith said two new recurring expenses will be $25,000 for a Boys and Girls Club and for the Initiative, a program that provides housing and day-care for single parents as long as they are enrolled in higher education.

From the $2.7 million anticipated in the county’s fund realized from local taxes on gaming, the county plans to add to the sheriff’s department budget $288,000 for expenses such as cars and other equipment.

The budget and taxes must be set after a required public hearing. George Stevens was the only taxpayer to comment at the hearing. He said he believed the county should base the amount of tax exemptions it grants to industries on the percentage of Warren County residents the industry employs.

The new tax rates apply to Vicksburg and Warren County residents and businesses. There have been no rate increases since casino development began 12 years ago, although most property owners have been paying higher assessments due to increased property values.

In other matters, the board: