The Pike County Board of Commissioners at a special called meeting Monday approved a millage rate of 12.864 mills for the tax digest of $483,820,170.

In addition, the Pike County Board of Education recommended a rate of 13.563 mills, based upon the 2010 school maintenance and operation digest of $486,289,571.

Finally, the BOE further recommended a tax levy of 2.417 mills for 2010-2011, which will fund a total payment of the remaining school bond.

In total, this amount represents a rate of $28.844 taxation per $1,000 of taxable property.

“Once people receive those tax notices, they won’t return those to the school board,” County Manager Bill Sawyer said. “It’s returned to the tax commissioner and it’s their job to distribute the appropriate funds to the appropriate places.”

This recommendation was motioned and seconded by Commissioner Parrish Swift and Commissioner Don Collins, respectively, and was passed by a 4-0 vote.

Following this, BOC members went into executive session for discussion of employment matters.

At the session’s conclusion, Sawyer requested board approval for the implementation of a four-day work week for the Public Works Department, which will consist of 10-hour days, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., for a weekly total of 40 hours, with the proposed schedule effective Sept. 1.

Furthermore, Sawyer also recommended a workforce reduction of two employees — one each from Public Works and Planning and Development — also effective Sept. 1.

Swift made a motion to approve the request, with Commissioner Tommy Powers seconding. The vote was 4-0.

When asked what necessitated this action, Sawyer said, “We have to make strong decisions for the betterment of this community. The question we have to ask is, ‘Can we do this job with less fat?’ The truth of the matter is, yes, we can do it with less fat.”

Sawyer said he expects more changes to come in the future.

“I certainly anticipate furloughs or further cuts,” he said. “I sure do. They will be handled on my recommendation, but I’m not recommending anything else right at this time.”

Sawyer said the bottom line is what is best for Pike County residents in the future.

“We’ve got to get our house in order,” he said. “We’ve got to do things that benefit the most residents and take care of business practically.”