(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission is proposing a 2019 county budget of nearly $11 million that calls for a nearly one mill decrease in the property tax levy.

The proposed budget contains an estimated tax rate of 31.937 mills, which is the lowest tax rate among area Kansas counties.

The county is to collect more than $6 million in taxes, a $335,000 increase over this year.

The Commission was able to lower the property tax levy due to a nearly $16 million increase in the county’s assessed valuation.

The proposed budget contains a more than $450,000 increase in funding for the county’s road and bridge department.

It also includes a $90,000 increase in funding for the county’s two ambulance services, which is to be split equally.

The Commission will consider adoption of the 2019 budget following a public hearing at their August 6th meeting.