The budget was originally approved during a workshop meeting on June 18 but a special meeting was scheduled to iron out certain details.
There was conflict because almost all capital outlay expenses have been cut.
Baucom, who was present through teleconference, said she did not feel she could vote for the budget because of a lack of funding for South Piedmont Community College and the courthouse.
She also expressed concern about the pay freeze for county employees. A study conducted at the county's request last year recommended a series of increases.
"Mr. Chairman, I'm with Mrs. Baucom on this," Smith said, addressing Streater, who chaired the meeting since Baucom was not physically present.
Commissioner Jim Sims said at the beginning of the meeting he felt the budget was not perfect, but good.
He had heard good feedback from the community about the lack of tax increases. He thought a budget extension would be costly.
County Manager Vance Gulledge said Tuesday there was still money for the maintenance of the courthouse and "exactly" the same amount of funds for the college as last year. The college received $50,000 in capital outlay.
The $25,742,430 budget contains no tax increases. It is 7.8 percent, or $2,167,840, less than the previous year's budget.
Revenues from property taxes are expected to fall $443,239. Sewer rates would increase to 3.88 percent. While the charge for the first 2,000 gallons would remain $11, every 1,000 gallons afterward would be $2.82 rather than the current $2.71.
Water rates remain unchanged. However, the late fee has been increased from $2 to $5.
Departments were asked in previous months to reduce their budgets by 10 to 15 percent, typically through travel expenses or freezes on vacancies. All travel not necessary to maintain certification was cut. There was a hiring freeze and teachers' supplemental pay was not increased.
There was also disagreement over $5,000 included in the budget for a nurse liason position at the health department.
A motion to put the money for the position back in the general fund was defeated after only Baucom, Smith and Streater voted in favor of it. The 4-3 vote kept the position.
Smith said the vote was essentially a tax increase on all citizens. Baucom said everyone had to do what they thought was right.
"I can't hardly pay my taxes," Smith said.
Sims said he felt the move would present savings over the long term.
"I vote how I want to vote," Commissioner Claude Spencer said.
"I don't give a damn how you vote," Smith said to him.
The budget also included $1,900 each for the Field of Dreams and the Burnsville Learning Center.
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