Without debate, Gaffney Board of Public Works commissioners approved a new spending plan Tuesday that holds the line on rates and gives employees more money in their pockets.

The 2008-'09 budget includes a 4 percent cost-ofliving raise for employees.

BPW General Manager Donnie Hardin unveiled a preliminary budget at the commissioners' long-term planning workshop in February. Hardin said an increase in the South Carolina Retirement System employer contributions was the only change from the preliminary budget.

The new $37,119,529 spending plan represents an increase of about $1.4 million from the utility's current operating budget. Hardin said $1.3 million of the increase is due to a 2.2 percent jump in wholesale electrical costs.

In 2007, commissioners approved for the first time in seven years a rate hike that included a flat $1 increase per utility service per month for residential customers and a straight 3 percent increase in sewer, electric and water rates for commercial and industrial customers.

The utility's new budget takes effect April 1.