(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission was urged Monday to find ways to cut spending instead of increasing taxes.

Ten county residents spoke during hearings on exceeding the revenue neutral tax rate and the proposed 2026 budget.

More than 40 county residents were on hand for the hearings held in the District Courtroom.

The proposed 2026 budget contains a 9 mill property tax levy increase but could be lowered.

Three mills of that amount is earmarked to raise $175,000 to help replenish the county's cash reserves, which have been depleted over the past seven years in an effort hold the mill levy steady.

Following the RNR hearing, the Commission voted 2-1 to approve a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral rate of 36.174 mills. Commissioner Bill Pollock cast the lone dissenting vote.

The Commission took no action on the budget.

They plan to hold a special meeting Friday morning at 8:10 in the Commission room at the Courthouse to further discuss the budget and will hold their end-of-the-month meeting Friday evening at 5:30 in the basement of the Brown County Sheriff's office.

Commission Chairman Lucas Heinen said they hope to finalize the budget at their September 2 meeting.