The primary goal of the Yancey County Commissioners new budget for the fiscal year, which began July 1, was to maintain basic services while not raising taxes. County Manager Nathan Bennett recently told the commissioners in the annual budget message that the new budget does just that, coming in balanced with revenues and expenditures each totaling just over $19.7 million.  The plan also keeps Yancey County property taxes at the current rate of 45 cents per $100 in valuation, while the fire tax across the county remained the same in each district as well. Revenue from property taxes and sales taxes is expected to provide an estimated $11.3 million to the county for the new fiscal year.  Working with the NC Government Commission of the State Treasures Office, Yancey County has used targeted spending over the past few years to rebuild its depleted fund balance. The fund balance reserve available for appropriation has risen from 3 percent in 2011 to 5 percent this year. As a result county employees received a cost of living pay rise for the first time in several years. Bennett also told commissioners that the use of stepped up tax collection and personal property audits have had a positive impact on the budget.