A 3 percent wage increase for borough employees, a $5 residential sewer-rate hike and no tax increase highlight the 2004 budget adopted Wednesday by Sandy Lake council.

The 12.5-mill tax rate set for next year includes street lighting and fire service taxes along with the general fund. It represents no tax increase, according to Council President Robert Kaltenbaugh.

A breakdown shows general fund revenues estimated at $180,531 and expenditures at $207,187.

Sewer fund numbers are estimated at $113,593 for revenue and $113,465 for expenses.

Reflected in the revenue totals is a $5-a-month sewer-rate hike for basic-service residential customers.

In the water fund, the borough expects to see $67,725 in revenue next year and $71,646 in expenditures.

Liquid fuels reimbursements, all of which come from state allocations and interest, are estimated at $17,550 for 2004, while expenses are expected at $17,250.

Sandy Lake is looking at a combined package of $339,502 in total expenditures and $379,454 in total revenues for 2004, compared to this year's numbers of $445,946 in expenditures and $364,124 in revenues.

Councilman Paul Baxter said he wanted to "go on record" that he "didn't approve of the 3 percent wage increase," but the borough's four employees will get it anyway beginning in January. Council also decided to continue the current schedule of regular meetings: 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month, with the workshop the preceding Monday. The exception is next month's reorganization, which will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 5.