STROUDSBURG – Property taxes could go up 23 percent under a 2012 budget proposed by the county commissioners, who blame rising costs and an $11 million deficit. 

The $118.6 million budget calls for general spending of $55 million.  The tax rate would increase four mills, which wold mean about $100 more for a home assessed at $100,000.

Key provisions, according to a summary posted on the county website, include:

• Health care costs up $1.5 million, with a provision that county employees participate in cost sharing
• Retirement costs up $662,000, from $2.98 million to over $3.64 million.
• Reduced hours form most departments
• Requirement that all overtime be preapproved by the commissioners prior to being incurred.