Dawson County Board of Commissioners Chair Billy Thurmond presented his proposal for the 2018 fiscal year county budget during a meeting Aug. 10. Thurmond said one of his goals with the budget process was to set a realistic budget that did not overestimate the amount of revenue the county would receive, as during the past four to five years, the county had yet to reach its projected revenue. He said priorities for him were to not increase the millage rate, which he has proposed, and to hold budget hearings with all commissioners present in an open door forum.