ROBERTSDALE, Alabama -- An increase in revenues during the first part of the 2013 fiscal year more than offset an increase in spending over projected figures, resulting in a bigger increase in pay for Robertsdale’s city employees.

At its meeting Monday night, the Robertsdale City Council approved budget adjustments, reflecting additional sales tax income from October 2012 through February 2013 of nearly $65,000, said Ann Simpson, the city’s chief financial officer.

The increase in tax revenue can be contributed to three sources, she said, construction of the Baldwin Beach Express from County Road 87 north of U.S. Highway 90; an increase in housing permits of nearly triple than this time last year; and the opening of a new Dollar General store on Highway 90.

“Any time construction materials are brought into the city limits, the city receives tax revenue from that,” Simpson said. “The Baldwin Beach Express is a major construction project with concrete and asphalt, among other things being brought in.”

Housing permits increased from five from October 2011 to February 2012 to 13 during that same period this fiscal year, Simpson said, adding to the increase in tax revenue.

“We also planned on decreased tax revenues from the other Dollar General Store and Fred’s with the new store opening up, but that didn’t happen,” Simpson said.

At the same time, Simpson said, expenditures for fuel purchases increased during the first five months of 2013 to the tune of about $55,000.

“We had a budgeted surplus of $121,000 and fortunately the increase in tax revenue allowed us to keep that surplus, despite the increase in costs,” Simpson said.

Normally, budget adjustments are done at the mid-way point in the fiscal year, Simpson said, but a cost of living adjustment is done based on the Consumer Price Index which is released in March by the Department of Labor.

“Since we had that coming up, we decided to do the budget adjustment early,” she said.

The Council also voted Monday to increase the cost of living adjustment for 2013 from 1.5 percent to 2 percent, increasing salary expenses by approximately $10,968.

In other business Monday, the council:

• Voted to donate $500 to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Robertsdale High School pending review by city attorney Ken Raines.

• Voted to surplus one car for the Robertsdale Police Department, which will be sold to the city of Prichard at a cost of $4,800 minus the camera system and radar unit.