MADISON -- Members of the Boone County Commission approved levy rates Tuesday that keep the percentage of taxes property owners will be paying at the same level as last year. Under state law, all government bodies are required to set their tax levy rates last week. In Boone County, the levy rate has been set at the maximum allowed by law for several years as county officials struggled with rising health-care costs, an expensive jail bill and a bad economy, which includes the loss of thousands of dollars in coal severance tax money. Last year, 33 counties had their levy rates set at the maximum allowed under state law. The rate for Class I property, typically farmland, will be $14.30 per $100. The regular levy rate for Class II, or houses, will be $28.60 per $100. Regular levy rates for classes III and IV, which include vehicles and business property, will be $57.20 per $100. The net amount, after taking into consideration delinquencies, exonerations, uncollectable taxes, tax discounts and assessor valuation fund, the net amount to be raised by levy of property taxes for budget purposes is $7,954,835. For the Ambulance Service Levy, the rate for Class I property will be $3.25 per $100. The rate for Class II property will be $6.50 per $100 and for classes III and IV will be $13.00 per $100. Total projected property tax collection will be $1,844,814. For the Public Library Levy, the rate for Class I property will be 30 cents per $100. The rate for Class II property will be 60 cents per $100 and for classes III and IV will be $1.20 per $100. Total projected property tax collection will be $170,290. For the Fire Protection Service and Equipment Levy, the rate for Class I property will be $2.60 per $100. The rate for Class II property will be $5.20 per $100 and for classes III and IV will be $10.40 per $100. Total projected property tax collection will be $1,475,850. For the Senior Citizens Nutrition Program Levy, the rate for Class I property will be 30 cents per $100. The rate for Class II property will be 60 cents per $100 and for classes III and IV will be $1.20 per $100. Total projected property tax collection will be $170,290. • In other county commission news, the county committed $50,000 to the Turtle Creek water project extension now and will commit $115,00 at a later date to bring water service to 14 additional homes in that area. By committing to the project the county will receive $260,000 in grant funding to assist with the proposed project. • Circuit Clerk Sue Ann Zickfoose was granted permission by the county commission to hire Elizabeth Smith full-time, pending the passing of a drug screen test, effective April 22, 2013, to fill the position previously held by Shirley Hill. Also, Deborah Sue Chamber was also hired by the county for part-time security by the commission, pending the passing of a drug screen test. • The county commission issued a proclamation that set Thursday, May 2, 2013, as a “Day of Prayer” in Boone County. This annual proclamation states that this nation’s founders were single-minded people seeking the wisdom and guidance from God through prayer to establish the basic principles of our freedoms. The county invited all residents to pray with diligence and obedience and to “seek the face of Almighty God to direct our paths in the days and years ahead.”