Approval of East Greenville's 2020 budget will likely require a transfer from the municipality's reserve fund to cover a $21,000 deficit but will maintain a similar millage rate.

            "Taxes won't be going up," Member Joe Rock said during Monday's borough council meeting.

            The current tax rate of 6.25 mills is expected to remain for 2020, according to according to council President Angie Fegely. She explained that water rates aren't expected to increase next year as part of the budget.

            During the meeting Fegely, who chairs the borough's finance committee, led a discussion on multiple line items.

            According to the council president, the $1.7 million borough budget includes a three percent pay increase for all municipal employees, $5,000 for new holiday decorations and a new line item in the police portion to cover any future bonus payments. Manager Jim Fry suggested that they take any required grant matching funds for a new tot lot, or any other projects, from the capital reserve account.

            The budget also includes prices for a forensic audit, according to Fegely. She said council members have previously discussed that option for the borough funds, and that "now that things have calmed down," municipal officials should consider it.

            Next year will be the final year the municipality will have to pay on a loan to purchase new police radios, according to Mayor Keith Gerhart.

            At the request of Member Alison Palmer, council approved a suggestion to include additional funds to cover a fifth crossing guard at the intersection of Fourth and Jefferson streets.

            Council also proposed hiring a third party company to handle home inspections in the borough. Fegely described the suggestion as a way to free up Fry, who also serves as the borough's code enforcement officer.

            "You are so busy," she said to him.

            However, Fry told the members he preferred to handle that work. He said his CEO duties account for 60 to 75 percent of his work.

            "I would rather be busy than idle," Fry said. "All of my certifications would go idle, and I like that part of my job."

            In terms of the $777,000 water fund, Fegely announced a projected 2019 surplus of approximately $100,000. According to the manager, the recent refunding of a loan for the water department helped allow borough officials to hold off on a forecasted increase in 2020.

            According to Fegely, the water department budget calls for a three percent salary increase to the plant supervisor and $50,000 to purchase a new truck. Fry said the vehicle the borough expects to replace has accumulated approximately 168,000 miles.