SHENANDOAH - The borough council tentatively adopted its 2014 budget Tuesday evening, with no tax increase on the agenda.
The spending plan includes a $10 increase in the annual garbage fee, raising it to $230.
Borough Manager Joseph L. Palubinsky explained the budget before its tentative adoption in a 5-0 vote.
"As a result of many meetings with our finance committee and the borough council as a whole, relative to a tentative budget for 2014, we were able to prepare a budget that does not call for any tax increase," Palubinsky said.
Real estate taxes will remain at 25 mills, with each mill equivalent to $32,944 in tax revenue on overall assessed valuation of property at $32,943,545.
The overall budget is $2,955,922, down from $2,986,125 in 2013. The budget breaks down as follows:
- General fund: $1,852,736.
- Sewer revenue fund: $953,000.
- Liquid fuels: $150,186.
The budget keeps 24-hour police protection.
"The budget was prepared with the idea that was promoted by the mayor and the borough council this year as having two police officers on duty for the most part, at all times," Palubinsky said. "That's not only for the police officers' safety, but also for the public. This way we have increased patrols and make sure that there is the availability of police when needed."
Palubinsky said salaries will remain the same. There are slight increases in workers compensation and liability insurance premiums.
As for the garbage fee, residents still have the opportunity to pay twice a year, and if paid within 30 days of receiving the bill, there will be a $5 discount.
"We still offer the bulk item pickup once a month if any resident who may have some kind of furniture or bedding or something like that, with the exception of TVs," Palubinsky said.
The borough council will formally adopt the budget at its Dec. 16 meeting.