As 2009 draws to an end, counties across the Alleghenies are wrapping up their budgets for next year.

In Cambria County, commissioners said they are still gathering information and crunching numbers for their next budget. They did not go into details on if there would be a tax increase for next year.

In 2008, taxes increased by 15 percent, which cost the average property owner about $43. The commissioners blame the economy and the rising debt of Laurel Crest, the county-run nursing home.

That debt forced commissioners to take out a loan that they had to pay off, but they said the county is in a different place this year. The sale of Laurel Crest is nearly complete, which commissioners said will help them pay off the debt.

Much of the money the county received from the state has been cut, so they said they will have to incorporate that into their budget as well.

Commissioners hope to reveal the details of the budget next week, but by law they have 20 days before the end of the year to adopt a budget.

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