OGDEN - Unlike this year, Weber County taxpayers will not see an increase in their county property tax rate in 2006. The 2006 budget approved this week by the Weber County Commission calls for a 3.1 percent increase in the general fund, but it will be paid through existing tax rates, said Comptroller Dan Olsen. This year, county taxes went up 20 percent to 22 percent, a hike that, among other things, will allow the county to build a new branch library in Washington Terrace next year. The commission revised its 2006 budget after a November public hearing so that it could give employees a 1.5 percent cost-of-living raise. That revision, however, required county departments to cut $600,000 out of their budgets, Olsen said. Most of the cuts will be accomplished by delaying hiring and merging part-time jobs. Two full-time positions will be lost. The pool for merit raises was increased by 2 percent. The general fund budget for 2006 will be $50.7 million, and the overall county budget will be nearly $97 million. - Kristen Moulton