Despite lingering concerns about overspending, Island County commissioners adopted a $77 million budget Monday.

The 2015 budget makes major investments in law and justice, staffing throughout the county and information technology. Roughly $513,000 in one-time funds and nearly $600,000 in ongoing funding was added through supplemental budget requests from department heads.

Sales tax revenues have been strong this year, mainly because of an increase in the house construction and remodel industry, according to Budget Director Elaine Marlow.

Still, Marlow said her worries about the budget stem from uncertainty about how the state’s budget will pan out considering its mandate to fund public education.

Commissioner Jill Johnson said that she would have liked to see less ongoing spending additions for the same reason.

Despite her overall concerns, Johnson said she didn’t believe there was any “fluff” in the budget and that the county made necessary investments in its staff and technology.

Commissioner Helen Price Johnson shared Johnson’s concerns, but said it was important for the county to provide necessary services where they can.

Last year marked a turning point for the county, which was able to start refunding positions cut in the 2008-2009 recession. In the 2014 budget, the major thrust was funding four additional sheriff’s deputies.

Commissioner Aubrey Vaughan echoed his previous comments about the county’s need for a tax levy — calling it the county’s “800-pound gorilla” — that would give dedicated funding to law and justice.

Commissioners made a last-minute edit by removing $300,000 from the county roads fund for the upgrade to the county’s communication systems in order to wait and see what state funding may or may not be provided.