FARMINGTON — Davis County commissioners kept with the status quo on Thursday, approving a relatively flat $93.7 million budget for 2006.

Key differences over last year's budget include a 7.6 percent increase in tourism tax revenues, additional costs related to the Help America Vote Act and new expenses tied to the anticipated opening of an addition to the county jail.

County Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings said the additional tourism revenues were a "bright spot" in the budget. The increase can be attributed to the opening of the Davis Conference Center and general economic prosperity in the state, he said.

The Conference Center was opened in September 2004. Since its opening, the number of room nights booked in the county have more than doubled. Last year, about 4,300 room nights were booked in the county. From January to July of this year, approximately 9,000 room nights have been booked.

"Hearing what the state's released relative to tourist spending, it sounds like the residents of the state are spending a little more," Rawlings said.

Utah counties are being hit, however, with additional costs tied to the Help America Vote Act. Davis County will spend about $290,000 this year on election expenses, including the training of election workers on new electronic voting machines.

Davis County will also assume new expenses this year with the opening of the county jail expansion, anticipated for late next year. Nine full-time employees will need to be hired and trained as a result of the expansion, said Rawlings. They will be hired five to six months before the jail expansion opens in order to complete needed training.

Additional costs tied to the expansion are $1.2 million. The county's budget also includes an $11.8 million bond for the project; last year, the county recorded a $13 million bond.

The bonds will not pay for operating costs of the jail expansion. Next year, Davis County residents will likely be taxed to pay for operation and maintenance of the jail. The tax is estimated to be $35 per year on a $167,000 home.

During Thursday's public hearing, at least two residents expressed concern over next year's anticipated tax increase. Other residents mentioned the vulnerability of two commissioners who are facing re-election next year.

Fewer than 10 residents attended the public hearing.

Commissioner Dannie McConkie said, "During our budget process this year, we had our eyes focused . . . on keeping taxpayer's money in the taxpayer's pockets as long as possible."

Other highlights of Davis County's 2006 budget include a 2.25 percent cost-of-living adjustment for employees and the anticipated hiring of 36 new full-time employee equivalents.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com