A new $377.1 million operating budget from Charleston County marks the 13th straight year the county hasn't increased the tax rate.

From their press release:
Also included in the 2008-2009 fiscal year budget:
-Reprogramming of 22 existing positions to create 19 additional Sheriff’s Office Detention Center Officer positions to assist with the detainee population, and three positions for the Charleston County Auditor and the Building Services Department to increase revenues.
-State mandate to absorb Ninth Circuit Public Defender as county employees (52 positions).

The new budget is some 3 percent ($11.6 million) more than last year's.

The budget runs July 1 through June 30, 2009.