BENTON -- Scott County government operations are projected to cost more than $3.64 million this year.

That's up from last year's estimated $3.45 million budget.

The budget, recently approved by the Scott County Commission, projects total revenue of $4.48 million, including beginning fund balances of more than $1.26 million.

The general revenue fund one of four major funds comprises the bulk of the budget, with 1993 estimated expenditures of more than $2.45 million, financial records show.

County Clerk Bob Kielhofner said the general revenue budget is up $29,470 over last year's estimate. Two years ago actual expenses in the general revenue fund totaled more than $2.15 million.

The general revenue fund budget includes raises for county employees ranging from 4 percent for lower-paid personnel (those making about $12,000 a year) to 1 percent for those making more than $20,000 annually.

Health insurance costs are forecast to increase about $15 for employees in this (general revenue) fund and about $25 overall," Kielhofner said in his budget message.

Estimated expenditures exceed revenue projections for the year. Kielhofner said the county will have to dip into its fund balance to make up the difference.

The general revenue reserve is expected to decrease from $667,362 to $351,520, budget figures show.

In the general revenue fund, there are few capital improvements budgeted. The budget does include installation of energy-saving heating and air-conditioning controls and an air-conditioning unit for one county office. Those improvements are projected to cost about $33,000 and will be funded with an energy loan from the Department of Natural Resources, Kielhofner said.

A new video system and some new lighting will be purchased for the jail, he said.

In the road and bridge fund, spending is expected to increase by nearly $171,000, from an estimated $659,236 in 1992 to $830,146 this year.

The budget includes pay raises of 2 to 3 percent for county highway employees.

Kielhofner said one large bridge is slated for construction this year, with 80 percent of the funding to come from the federal off-systems road program.

Plans are being made to replace a major bridge over a Little River Drainage District ditch on County Road 261, about three or four miles south of Chaffee.

Kielhofner said the span will be about 90 to 100 feet long. The total cost is expected to be in excess of $100,000, he said.

"Other culverts and perhaps smaller bridges will be built with 100 percent county funding," he wrote in the budget message.

The county commission is looking at purchasing two new pieces of heavy equipment this year.

Assessment fund spending is expected to total $231,177 this year, compared to an estimated $252,481 last year and actual expenses of $222,149.52 in 1991.

Spending associated with maintenance of the closed-down county landfill is projected at $27,610. That compares with an estimated $65,437 in 1992 and actual expenses of $30,448 in 1991.

Kielhofner said costs for this year include methane-gas testing wells and vents in several locations along the covered trash-disposal site. "However, this installation will cause little cash outlay as the cash balance in this fund needs to be maintained at the direction of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to assure that any emergency in the landfill could be readily repaired," he said.

The budget also comprises a number of other lesser funds, including projected county drainage district fund expenses of $20,673.