(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved a 2017 county budget after reducing the tax levy from what had been published.

That came following a public hearing during a special session Monday evening attended by about 50 residents, with a number voicing their concerns that the county would be collecting about $400,000 in additional local taxes.

Following discussion, Commissioner Tim Collins made a motion to approve the budget as published which called for the tax levy to remain the same. However, the motion died due to the lack of a second.

Then following additional discussion, Commissioner Jerry McKernan made a motion to approve the budget with about a 1.3 mill levy reduction after more than $165,000 was cut from the budget . The motion was approved on a 2-1 vote, with Collins voting no.