Mackinac County commissioners have prepared a $6.3 million budget for 2009, and it can be reviewed at the clerk's office. A public hearing will be Thursday, December 11, after which commissioners are expected to adopt the budget.

The county spent $6.2 million last year.

"We held the line everywhere we could" on the new budget, said Commission Chair Dawn Nelson.

Commissioners say they are not planning to hire any new employees, except to replace three full-time workers who are retiring. One full-time maintenance position being vacated from a retirement will be filled with a part-time employee.