The proposal to de-accelerate tax sales emerged as a key topic. This adjustment aims to alleviate the financial burden on residents, particularly those who pay taxes directly. The proposed change would require the borough to absorb a $400,000 shortfall in anticipated revenue, based on prior years’ tax sale experiences. The intent is to provide relief for taxpayers who may inadvertently miss payments due to the tight timeline for notifications and collections. It was noted that the current system can be especially painful for residents who, if unaware of a missed fourth-quarter payment, could face immediate financial strain.

During the discussion, council members weighed the long-term implications of this policy, questioning whether the adjustments might average out over subsequent years. Although the borough would face a financial hit this year, the initiative could potentially improve the overall taxpayer experience. Concerns were expressed about the emotional impact of tax sales on residents, particularly seniors, with suggestions to promote automated payment systems for water, sewer, and tax collection to ease the burden on residents.

The council also tackled the topic of fire department staffing, recognizing that high overtime costs were a issue. Last year, the department’s overtime spending reached $70,000, surpassing the budgeted $45,000. In response, there was a proposal to hire an additional full-time firefighter to mitigate these costs. The council debated the merits of hiring a full-time position versus part-time staff, with the latter potentially complicating scheduling due to management challenges. The fire chief was tasked with assessing the availability and willingness of part-time firefighters to cover overnight shifts, which would influence staffing decisions. The Public Safety Committee was expected to provide a recommendation on the matter in the coming month.

In tandem with these discussions, the council explored other budgetary concerns, such as the proposed 3% increase in the library budget. The library’s approach to enhancing service availability during peak hours by employing more part-time staff was acknowledged as a cost-effective strategy. Additionally, the library aimed to engage in more fundraising activities now that renovation projects were completed, shifting focus to community engagement and resource generation.

The council reviewed the overall budget, noting a $400,000 increase in debt service payments. This, combined with other budgetary increases, prompted careful examination of current appropriations. The total appropriation increase was adjusted to 4.3% over the previous year when accounting for grants, which were recognized for offsetting revenues. Rising expenses related to primary elections, code updates, electric service, and street lighting were also discussed, with budget reallocations suggested to offset these costs.

Council members expressed concerns about the surplus being utilized to cushion the budget’s impact. The surplus was set to decrease from approximately $2.25 million to $2.45 million, prompting discussions about maintaining a healthy reserve for future financial planning. The importance of consulting with Bond Counsel to evaluate borrowing practices and the borough’s overall debt level was highlighted, as was the potential for different budgeting strategies to ease the financial impact on residents.

Lastly, the meeting addressed the Main Street budget, emphasizing a straightforward financial plan with a focus on increased sponsorships from local businesses to raise additional funds for events. The recreation department was tasked with managing events like the 5K run.