Douglas County commissioners next week will decide which of two bitter tax pills to swallow.

Or they can come up with their own version of mill levy increase poison.

On Monday, County Administrator Craig Weinaug will outline the budget cuts that would be necessary to keep mill levy increases at levels from 2.5 mills to 3.76 mills.

“Obviously, the process is going to be a lot more difficult (than past years),” Weinaug said. “The choices are going to be hard.”

Commissioners said they would spend Monday morning discussing what they prefer to do with the mill levy to support the 2009 county budget.

Then they will spend the next few days meeting with county-supported agencies and department heads about their budgets.

A mill is $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Weinaug has said it would take an increase of 5.75 mills just to maintain services provided in the 2008 budget plus giving a 1 percent cost of living pay increase, and setting aside money for an industrial park.

Declines in county revenue and increased costs are to blame, he said.

In a related budgeting matter, Douglas County Chief Judge Robert Fairchild presented a proposal from a private firm in Denver to study court efficiency.

The National Center for State Courts offered two study options, one costing $35,000 to $65,000 and another costing $35,000 to $49,000.

Fairchild said he also is waiting on a proposal from the Office of Judicial Administration to conduct a study that would be free.

Commissioners made no decision and will wait to see the office’s proposal.