Nazareth Borough Council approved a 2017 proposed budget at its meeting Monday night. A final vote is set for Dec. 5.
Nazareth Borough property owners may pay a little more in taxes next year.
Borough council voted 8-1 on Monday night to approve the proposed 2017 budget with a 0.5-mill tax increase, which brings the total rate to 15.5 mills
One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. The typical resident whose house is assessed at $50,000 paid $750 in 2016 and the tax increase would bump that up about $25 annually.
The proposed 2017 budget projects about $4.8 million in expenditures, which is $183,000 higher than this year. Borough Manager Paul Kokolus said the tax increase was needed to help defray rising costs.
"Our operating expenses are up," Kokolus said. "Heath insurance is way up. General insurance is way up."
Nazareth has 16 municipal employees who receive insurance benefits.
Next year's proposed budget maintains the current borough services and does not include any major projects, according to Kokolus.
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Property owners did not see a tax increase in 2016 but did incur a 15 percent increase in 2015 that raised the rate from 13 to 15 mills. In 2014, a 1-mill increase was established and council approved a half-mill increase in 2013.
Councilman Michael Kopach was the only vote against the proposed budget. He said he wants council to make cuts to avoid any tax increase.
"I thought we could have done a little more chopping," Kopach said.
The proposed budget is available for the public to review during normal operating business hours at the municipal offices. A final budget vote is scheduled for borough council's Dec. 5 meeting.
John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
