Members of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors questioned growing government during a time of continued economic downturn during its first work session on the budget Thursday night in the colonial courthouse.

The questions come in advance of a public hearing scheduled on the proposed fiscal year 2014 budget at 7 p.m. Monday in the Gloucester High School auditorium.

County administrator Brenda Garton’s proposed $138 million fiscal year 2014 budget calls for a 4¢ increase on the county’s real estate tax rate as well as a $1.95 increase on the rate at which boats are assessed.

County administrator Brenda Garton said each penny of the real estate tax generates approximately $400,000 in additional revenue ($1.6 million for four cents), while the increase in the boat tax would add roughly $600,000 to the county’s coffers.

“I’m hearing the people say this concept of growing government is coming at the wrong time,” said York district su...