East Greenville officials voted Monday to approve a 2016 preliminary budget that holds the line on taxes and funds the hiring of a full-time officer for the Upper Perk Police Department.

        Facing an audience of approximately 24 people, borough council voted unanimously to advertise the budget, which totals $1.842 million in projected expenses and maintains a tax rate of 6.25 mills.

        However, Tracy Hunsinger and James Young voted against a separate measure to hire a full-time replacement for Sgt. Robert Seville, who retired earlier this year.

        After the meeting, both council members expressed concerns over the affordability of a hire. According to Hunsinger, the municipality had to borrow $55,000 to cover the contractual obligations related to Seville's retirement.

"I'm concerned about how we are going to pay for a new officer next year and beyond," Hunsinger said.

        Four residents, and one woman who said she wanted to bring her family back to the borough, spoke in favor of the hire.

        Keith Gerhart, a Cherry Street resident, asked council to consider trimming costs to make the budget work without a tax increase.

        "We always find the money to do what is important," Gerhart said. "I would say safety is first. Roads are second."

        The elected officials obliged. Council member Andrew Rock itemized the reductions, which included $36,300 in road maintenance, $5,000 in tot lot maintenance, $4,000 for improvements at East Main Street and the elimination of a $3,000 purchase for new Christmas lights.

        Initially, council cast a vote on hiring a new full-time officer. Prior to the vote, Rock, chair of the borough's finance committee and a member of the police commission, expressed his support for a full-time hire.

President Timothy Huff agreed, saying that crime rates in the borough led him to change his mind. Initially, Huff favored a plan to hire a part-time officer.

        "The right thing to do is to protect our citizens," he said. "I don't think it's appropriate to accept a reduction in the police force."

        Hunsinger described council's support for a full-time hire as unforeseen. She said she had been willing to support a part-time hire.

        "All of the sudden, the members changed their minds," she said after the meeting. "Sgt. Seville retired eight months ago, and we never talked about hiring him. The cost of those benefits concerns me."

        Hunsinger expressed a willingness to support hiring a full-time officer in the future, possibly next year, when the department improves its fiscal condition.

        "The police department doesn't even have a savings account," she said.

        Mayor Ryan Sloyer expressed his opposition to hire a full-time officer. Sloyer said he would vote against the measure at the next Upper Perkiomen Police Commission meeting.

        "My vote will be no," he said after Monday's meeting.