The fiscal year 2007-2008 budget for the City of Picayune was unanimously adopted in a called council meeting Friday afternoon.

Included in the budget is a 2.5 percent step and grade increase in employee pay, which will increase the average pay of all employees 36.5 percent since 2002, according to a press release from the city.

Also in the $25,900,697 budget are a number of grants to provide a number of upgrades to city infrastructure.

Those grants include a $1.5 million grant to provide significant city-wide sewer pumping station upgrades; a $1.45 million grant to build the long awaited fire station on South Loftin Road; a $1.12 million grant to provide major upgrades to Friendship Park; a $55,000 grant for construction on South Loftin Road; a $790,000 grant to build the new Intermodal Center on U.S. 11; a $300,000 grant to build new helicopter pads at the airport, and a $100,000 grant to fund economic development activities.