Kershaw County Council passed first reading of its proposed 2011-2012 budget, 6-1, with Councilman Jimmy Jones voting against. Jones had several questions for interim County Administrator Frank Broom about the $23 million draft budget -- a budget that includes the $46,000 implementation of a recently approved pay plan and a 12-cent increase in monthly E911 fees. Also included in the draft budget is Broom’s recommendation that council raise the county tax levy by 1.7 mills -- the maximum, which is equivalent to a 2.66 percent increase in the current millage -- and transfer $727,316 from the general fund reserve account to balance the budget.