ELLSWORTH — Almost half a million dollars in debt service for the new jail will push the Hancock County budget up 18.8 percent next year.

On Monday, county commissioners approved a 1999 budget of $4.01 million, up $646,000 in expenses over the current fiscal year, and about $1 million in revenue.

The county will have to raise $2.43 million in taxes from its 39 towns, $487,000 more than last year. That equals a 21 percent increase in taxes, but because state property valuations are not completed until February, it is unknown how much each town’s contribution will rise.

The commissioners voted to spend $500,000 from the county’s undesignated fund balance to keep taxation costs from going even higher.

Also offsetting the growing county expenditures is a projected 12 percent boost in county income. The commissioners anticipate receiving $108,000 more than last year in revenue, mainly from the Bar Harbor-Trenton Airport, the registry of probate and the registry of deeds.

In response to concerns from state officials that it would set a dangerous precedent for funding private services, the commissioners eliminated a proposed $1,500 subsidy for the private Eagle Island ferry, which serves a year-round family and numerous summer residents on the small islands west of Stonington.

Besides the cost of building a new jail and renovating the courthouse, other departments are also receiving increases in funding: a 6 percent hike for the District Attorney’s Office, 16 percent for the county commissioners, and 18 percent for the county treasurer’s department. The registry of probate is actually receiving $7,500 less than last year.

The new budget includes annual salary raises of $300 each for the county commissioners and judge of probate, and $1,000 each for the sheriff, the registrar of probate and the register of deeds.

The 1999 budget for the unorganized territories is $98,000, requiring a tax assessment of $54,000. Last year’s assessment was just $36,650 and the total budget was $88,000.

The county has allocated more money for dumps and E-911 implementation, while reducing the amount used from surplus funds.