The Wilkes County Commissioners met yesterday morning for their first regular meeting of the month.  As the new fiscal year begins July 1, the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for Wilkes was on the agenda. County Manager John Yates delivered the recommendations for the new budget.  The budget was submitted with a proposed tax rate of 69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.  Appropriations for the Wilkes County School System is $14.8 million including $11.7 million for current expense/operations and $650,000 for capital outlay and improvements.  This school system appropriation reflects a 3 percent increase in operational funding and an 8 percent increase in capital funding.  The proposed budget for the schools also includes a one-time $500,000 to help with the roof replacement at Mulberry & Wilkesboro Elementary Schools.  As for Wilkes Community College, the budget recommendation is $3.8 million which is a 3 percent increase from the current $3.3 million.  As County Manager Yates explained, a 2 percent salary increase has been recommended for all full-time employees which equates to an increase of $375,000 including benefits.  The DSS appropriation increases $221,000 to $6.5 million.  The county pays nearly 36 percent of the DSS 15.8 million dollar budget.  The Sales Tax Revenue is budgeted at $14.3 which reflects a 6.8 percent increase over last year's projected collections.  The increase is projected due to new sales tax laws and a small amount of projected growth.  The Airport budget is recommended at $3.6 million, the Landfill at $2.6 million, Sheriff's Dept at just over $5 million with the Jail at $3.2, and EMS at $4.3 million.  Two fire districts requested an increase.  Austin requested 5 cents increase for equipment and facilities and Champion requested a 3 cents increase to build a fire station.  County Commissioners will hold a budget work session next week and a Public Hearing on the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for the County has been set for May 17th at 6:30 in which the public can respond.