A review by the Sylva Herald of the Jackson County Commissioners’ approval of next year’s budget speaks of increased spending. Consideration of a pay increase for all county employees earning less than $50,000 a year was eventually dropped. Sundry “year-end consent agenda budget amendments” were approved, including $4.5 million plus $140,625 plus $150,000 plus $25,000 plus $225,000 for the Cashiers Recreation Complex, $333,500 for Mark Watson Park drainage improvements, $28,335 for miscellaneous general fund expenditures, $40,000 for contracted services payable with the emergency telephone fund, and $21,000 more for the solid waste fund. Grants were approved for the Green Energy park, Smart Start, something to be paid by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and something else. (Anybody who has read county commissioners’ staff reports will understand.)