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Montco Board Approves 2017 Budget

MONTGOMERY COUNTY (CBS) -- Montgomery County's Board of Commissioners has approved a 2017 budget, but not without some fireworks.

Montgomery County held four hours of public hearings earlier this month. But as they were about to vote on the budget, minority Republican Commissioner Joe Gale tried to list what he said would be seven million dollars in savings.

But Gale was unable to present a legitimate motion to amend the budget, resulting in this exchange with Board Chairwoman Val Arkoosh.

"I don't know what that millage would be," said Gale.

Arkoosh responded,  "you've had months to work on this budget like the rest of us have been, so to show up here at the final hour and not even be able to identify the millage that your proposing is completely."

Gale stated, "It's not my job."

At that point, Arkoosh questioned that statement, "it's not your job?"

Gale withdrew his motion and the budget passed two to one. It raises taxes about $66 dollars per year for the average homeowner with an increase in funding to the community college, the 911 fund, and a raise for county employees.

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