MADISON, Wis. -- Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk introduced her 2009 county budget on Wednesday and she called it one of the toughest budgets she's prepared in a dozen years.

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The "stick to the basics" budget includes additional funding for county services and a higher property tax bill.

According to a news release from her office, the budget includes investments in public safety and human service programs while controlling property taxes.

"In these tough economic times it was even more important to prioritize public services and continue my 12 year stretch of self-imposed, strict property tax standards," said Falk. "We’ve squeezed every nickel out of every dollar to ensure the increasing human service and public safety needs we’re seeing in this current economy are met, all while balancing the ability of families to pay."

"In every one of my prior 11 budgets I've prioritized public safety, human services, and improving people’s quality of life. Now with families staying closer to home during these unsettling times, these priorities are even more important," Falk said.

The $450 million budget is an increase of $10 million over the 2008 budget. The budget includes a 4.63 percent property tax increase.

This is how it will affect property taxes if approved: if a home is assessed at $248,000, the county average, the increase means the county portion of the property tax bill would go up $2.13 to $587.76.

The proposed budget also includes increased funding for services like public safety initiatives.

If approved, the 911 Communication Center would get $12,000 to enhance the reverse 911 service.

More funding would go toward two major county projects: The 'communications interoperability' radio system and a 'priority police dispatch system.' These projects would help emergency responders communicate with other agencies in a large-scale emergency and dispatch needed police during a 911 call.

The proposed budget also includes $4.5 million in funding for the sheriff's department; money for salaries, equipment and new squad cars.

"We all know that this past year has been challenging, unsettling on so many fronts from the from the record setting rains, snow and cold," said Falk. "To a national and global economy that has really hit home here 11:50 making it harder for families to make it and we're seeing that kind of pain throughout the services that county services provides."

The budget also includes more funding for the District Attorney's office, environmental conservation, and $3 million for road and bridge improvements.

The budget now goes to the county board for review. A final decision, veto or approval from Falk, is expected before Thanksgiving.