An initial version of East Greenville Borough's 2019 budget holds the line on taxes. On Monday, council members went through multiple line items during a special meeting. The document, which currently shows a surplus of $4,052, maintains a tax rate of 6.25 mills. 

            Expenses in the preliminary budget total $1,502,970, according to Secretary Sharon Kachmar. Revenue comes in at $1,507,022.

            Residents should expect a $10 hike in their trash fees. The budget calls for an increase in discount period fee from $113 to $123 and a jump from $135 to $145 in the late fee.

            A five percent increase in water fees - initially proposed by a previous council as part of a master plan - will not be implemented next year, according to Member Alison Palmer.

            "That was my recommendation," Palmer said after the meeting, citing a large number of municipal residents on a fixed income.

            Mayor Keith Gerhart described a water fee increase in 2020 as likely. 

            According to Palmer, the borough's solid waste account is significantly underfunded. Whitetail Disposal – East Greenville's current trash hauler, based locally in New Hanover – is implementing a $7.50 increase per unit in the borough, according to Manager Jim Fry. He said the rate hike would generate an additional $14,201.

            The borough's contract with Whitetail expires in 2019 with an option for 2020, according to the manager. Palmer said a rate hike would not affect the prices of trash bags and bulk stickers.

            Additionally, the members crossed out a line item that provides $2,400 to the local Boy Scouts for collecting cardboard and newspaper, since the trash hauler disposes of both items. Still, council decided to donate $2,500 to the Boy Scouts.

            The budget allocates $140,549 for road maintenance in 2019. According to council president Angie Fegely, that figure could increase by $4,000 or $5,000, depending on council's required pension contribution.

            According to Palmer, council plans on paying off the remaining $67,000 left on a loan from the borough's water department to cover the cost of converting the Colonial Village Clubhouse into a police station by the end of the year.