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The Coneross Wastewater Treatment Plant near Seneca is the central operation for the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority whose operating budget was approved at $3 million this week.

SENECA — When you're operating a sewer plant there is only so much impact a recession can have.

Still, the potential for lower revenue has prompted the Oconee Joint Sewer Authority to approve a 2009-2010 operating budget that is nearly $80,000 lower than last year. The new budget, approved this week, comes in just over $3 million compared to a current year spending plan that will likely finish at $3.1 million.

The budget means the county's municipalities will not get a rate increase from the Authority this year. Authority Director Bob Winchester said the percentages paid by Walhalla, Westminster, Seneca and West Union will change but overall revenue to be collected is estimated to be the same.

The Authority's Finance Committee was prepared to recommend the operating budget without pay increases for any Authority staff. However, at the urging of Seneca Administrator and Authority Board Member Greg Dietterick, the group approved an additional $26,000 to provide three percent raises. That amount represents slightly more than half the amount Winchester expects to reduce overall wages by eliminating two positions that are currently vacant. Overall salaries are projected at $694,000 next year with the wage increase included.

Several other line items in the new budget have been reduced as well, but some of those savings will be lost to dramatically increased natural gas and electric rates. Winchester said the Authority expects to pay $510,000 for electricity next year, up from $430,000.

Winchester said he foresees having to use $33,000 from the organization's gross revenue account to balance the operating budget next year.

The Authority has yet to approve its 2009-2010 capital project budget, primarily because bids have not been received for a pending Martins Creek plant expansion. (See related story.)

Also this week, the Authority Board said it has put on hold plans to construct a septic receiving facility. Winchester said the project was proposed when between 900 and 1,000 septic permits were being issued annually. That number has dropped dramatically due to the recession. He said even commercial septic operators are reporting less work.