Just two weeks after a heated discussion on a potential ad valorem tax increase in Lee County, commissioners Tuesday night approved the $23.45 million spending plan for Fiscal Year 2015 by a 3-2 vote that was preceded by little discussion.

The budget is likely to require a tax increase of 1.44 mills, but the specifics will not be known until Lee’s tax digest is finalized.

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While large, mostly fixed-cost items such as salaries and benefits account for most of the spending, the document also includes new items such as $450,000 for road resurfacing, $172,000 in building maintenance, two new deputies for the Lee Sheriff’s Office, $52,000 for a new training officer for the Fire Department and another $44,000 to help equip a new volunteer firefighting unit.

Commission Vice Chairman Dennis Roland and Commissioner Ed Duffy voiced opposition to the tax increase at the commission’s work session two weeks ago. They maintained their stand Tuesday night, voting against the budget.'

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