Updated: 3/25/2013 6:10 P.M.

$700,000: that's the amount of the increase from the current year in the $20 million fiscal year budget the Wood County Commission approved Monday.

And with one possible exception, the sheriff's department, that does not include any increases for county departments. At least one, the 911 center, requested a decrease from it's current fiscal year budget.

"With a new sheriff coming in, he needed some changes, but he tried to hold to the budget, too, as much as he could," Commission President Wayne Dunn said after Monday's passage. "He has the biggest portion of our budget, far more than any other department of our government. The others actually came in what we gave them last year, or even a little bit less."

While it doesn't anticipate an increase in the county levy rate this year, Dunn said there would, eventually be a need for increased county revenues. While not related to the budget discussions, commissioners Monday said a county permit fee, related to the anticipated oil and gas drilling, may be up for consideration at a later date.

"A $10, 15 or even $20,000 permit fee, that's not unfair, might offset the burden to the county itself," noted Commissioner Blair Couch, "to help maintain the records, to find names and phone numbers of people who have control over this, so if there is an issue with someone's road, we know who to send them to."

The increase also takes into account optimism that the slow recovery of the economy will continue into next year.

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A new face in the Wood County Prosecutor's Office-and closer to a new Wood County Budget.

Nancy McGhee was sworn in as an assistant prosecutor Thursday by Commission President Wayne Dunn.

McGhee is a graduate of WVU Law School and has worked in the magistrate court system.

Meanwhile, the commission has set this coming Monday as the day to pass its budget for the fiscal year beginning in July.

Thursday, it referred the budget to the county finance department for its approval.