Saluda Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $1,031,575 budget, which includes a three percent salary increase for employees but no other increases for the new fiscal year.

Finance Director Ron Cole presented the final budget at a budget hearing held Wednesday, June 26.

“The city’s tax rate will remain unchanged, as a matter of fact in this budget there is no rate change of any fees,” Cole said.

The approved budget reflects a 2.6 percent increase from the adopted budget last year, according to Cole, but is 1.3 percent less than the current fiscal year’s budget, after amendments, which ends June 30.

Within the budget $10,000 is appropriated for the continuation of renovation efforts to city hall. It also includes the use of $35,825 from the city’s fund balance to cover $14,000 in paving and $21,825 for the general fund budget to cover some of the costs related to the purchase of a new copier system for the city and a new police vehicle.

The $14,000 allocated for paving is not specified for any particular project but is to be used as needed throughout the year. It is in addition to the $30,525 the city receives for such projects from the state Powell Fund.

Saluda, after paying off three current loans, will seek a partial loan for the police vehicle, which in total will cost the city $29,350.

Saluda officials also included $12,450 in capital outlay monies in the water/sewer budget, as well as $43,005 for system development to complete upgrades on the aging system.

The 2013-2014 budget will take effect Monday, July 1.