Fayette County taxpayers got a small glimmer of good news at Monday night's Board of Education meeting.

The board tentatively approved a $164 million general fund budget that calls for a small reduction in the maintenance and operation millage rate.

"We won't know the exact amount until we get the final tax digest from the tax commissioner," said Finance Director Lee Davis.

This year's budget also features raises for teachers and employees on the unified salary schedule. Teachers will receive the 2 percent cost of living increase from the state, plus their step increases.

"It's really difficult to say what percentage teachers will get. It will range from 2.4 percent to 7 percent," Davis said.

Employees on the unified salary schedule will get a 3.5 percent raise, he added.

The budget also includes $1.4 million in funding for more than 20 new positions, including 12 teachers, four custodians and two maintenance technicians.

The majority of funding for this year's budget comes from property taxes. Davis projects $84 million, or 51 percent, will be funded from tax bills.

He explained that in previous years, the funding percentages used to be 60 percent from the state and 40 percent from local sources. But recent economic downturns have forced the state to turn much of the funding