Despite expenses created by the Nov. 10 tornado, Clark council on Tuesday approved its 2003 budget as it was presented last month, just days before the disaster.

The borough will lose $2,700 in real estate taxes from homes that were destroyed by the storm, plus overtime money from hours accumulated by police, fire and other municipal employees who helped with the cleanup.

Mayor Doug Bradley suggested that council approve the proposed budget the way it stands because the borough may get grant money from the state to cover tornado-related expenses. Bradley said he applied for two Department of Community and Economic Development grants, one for $100,000 and the other for $30,000. He said the borough should hear about the grants later this month.

If Clark doesn't get the grant money, "We'll have to come up with some funds somehow," Bradley said.

"If we receive grant money, we'll replenish the revenue we lost," he added. "If we don't, we'll have to adjust the budget."

But Bradley is optimistic about the grant money.

"I do feel like we're going to get some relief," he said.

The $205,657 budget is supported by 9.667 mills of property tax, with one mill going toward the fire department. For the ninth year in a row, there will be no tax increase.

A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property; assessments are based on 1970 market values. At 9.667 mills, a property owner with a home assessed at $30,000 would owe $290 in property taxes.

Also on Tuesday, council approved a proposal from Clark Eberhart, sewer committee chairman, to suspend sewer billing to homes rendered unlivable by the tornado until the residents are able to return.

The borough will host an appreciation dinner for residents and for volunteers who helped in the cleanup after the storm. The dinner will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 14 in the fire department's social hall. Bradley said the dinner would be "a time to relax and get together."