Council Approves Preliminary 2014 Borough Budget

Hellertown Borough Council members unanimously voted to approve and advertise a preliminary 2014 budget at its meeting Monday.

Borough manager Cathy Hartranft explained that the proposed budget will maintain the current real estate tax rate of 18.75 mills, as well as the current fire tax rate.

The borough's largest single revenue source is the real estate tax, she explained.

Economic forecasts indicate a "continued flattening pattern" for real estate revenue, she noted.

General fund expenses in the preliminary budget total $3,805,000.

There are no projected increases in recycling or garbage fees assessed to borough property owners included in the budget, and Hartranft said a reduction in the borough's landfill dumping fees—attributable to higher recycling rates—is helping with that.

Council will vote on final adoption of the proposed budget before the end of the year.

Photo: Hellertown Borough Hall (Patch file photo)