Mesa County's 2013 budget was approved Monday with 2 out of 3 commissioners voting in favor of the plan.

Financial planners say the budget focuses on public safety and funding infrastructure improvements to strengthen the community and economy.

The overall budget checks in at a little more than $157 million, and will be invested in five core areas.

On top of public safety and infrastructure, $12.5 million will go back to the local economy, $15 million will help create efficient services, and a little over $21 million will benefit healthy and self-sufficient individuals and families.

Commissioner Craig Meis explained some of the highlights, saying, "...There's a number of facilities, projects, the Workforce Center.  We have some work to do out at animal services, of course always public works-related projects, roads, bridges, and those vary in size and scope."

Sales tax revenue increased by four percent in 2012 over the previous year, which will help provide additional funding for needed improvements.

But Meis says the additional revenue is rather small when compared to the heavy losses the County suffered a couple years ago.