In continuing efforts to pare a proposed 58 percent property tax increase, Carbon County Salary Board, which includes all three commissioners, on Thursday eliminated six long vacant positions in the Area Agency on Aging and reduced potential work hours for another recently vacated job.

The board abolished six senior aid positions, which paid $7.25 an hour, effective Dec. 6.They also changed the position of one part-time senior center manager from anticipated-to-work 1,000 hours to not-anticipated-to-work 1,000 hours.The job was last held by Oscar Santizo, who retired effective Dec. 6.The board also changed rates of pay in the Department of Corrections.The pay rate for one sergeant went from $19.84 an hour to $18.15 an hour. The rate for one part-time corrections officer went from $11.26 an hour to $10.93 an hour.Both pay rate changes were effective as of Dec. 6.Commissioners on Nov. 29 approved a proposed 2013 budget that calls for the county property tax to be increased by 58 percent, or 4 mills. That would boost the levy to 10.893 mills.At that rate, the owner of a $200,000 home with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay an additional $400 in county property tax next year.The increase the first since 2002 may be necessary to close a $6 million gap in next year's spending plan. Commissioners expect to adopt a final budget when they meet publicly at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 20.