Saratoga supervisors came together to vote on the proposed 2012 budget. It calls for the first property tax increase in10 years. C.J. Spang has more.

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SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- Saratoga supervisors came together to vote on the proposed 2012 budget. It calls for the first property tax increase in10 years.

Supervisors also made some late changes to the budget. The biggest one involving health care costs.

The county will now pay Blue Shield for administrative services only and will pay out actual claims from a trust fund. That's expected to save about $1.4 million in the first year.

The budget also calls for retirees to continue receiving reimbursements for Medicare Plan B. Those reimbursements were on the chopping block just a few weeks ago. That goes along with the 3.5 percent property tax increase that a number of supervisors voiced concerns about.

"To raise property taxes at this time, without a more detailed plan in place as to how we're going to improve the county finances, I think is a bad move," said Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett.

"The tax increase is actually 7.5 cents, which is $15 on a $200,000 assessed value. Most of us will be able to handle that. Unfortunately, it may be going in that direction," Moreau Supervisor Preston Jenkins said.

The board also restored partial funding to a number of outside groups including SPAC, the county fair and the Brookside Museum, home of the county historical society.