Senoia's budget for 2004

zipped through City Council approval Monday night.

The City Council approved a

$1.27 million General Fund budget for 2004 at Monday's meeting. That's

nearly $140,000 over last year's amount.

City clerk Debbie Hogan attributed

many of the increases this year to the sewer system under construction.

"It's a pretty cut and dried budget this year," she added.

Also included in the budget

are merit and cost-of-living increases, which could give employees a five

percent raise.

The council had originally

set a meeting for Dec. 8 on the budget to question the staff about the

budget. But with no controversy involved in this year's funds, the

council cancelled the meeting and quietly approved the budget Monday night.

The council does have a called

meeting Monday at 5 p.m. to look at additional budget amendments for the

2004 sewer fund.