Politics & Government

Costs Change, Tax Rate Remains Same

The Hatboro budget for 2014 is expected to hold the line on taxes.

Health insurance costs ended up being more than projected, but Hatboro officials say the 2014 budget is still on track to maintain the current tax rate.

On Monday night the Hatboro Borough Council approved its preliminary $4.9 million spending plan, which, if enacted on Dec. 16, will maintain the borough's 7.891 millage rate.

Council President John Zygmont said the "real health insurance numbers" came in higher than the $490,000 cost budgeted, which at that amount had reflected a little more than a 10 percent increase over 2013 rates.

Yet, Zygmont said "it balanced out."

True costs for the new police contract were also finalized for budgeting purposes, he said. The council will vote on the police contract during its Dec. 2 meeting, according to Zygmont.

Resident Ron Battis asked if an Eaton Park guard, or removal of the park's pavilion "since it causes a nuisance" was part of next year's budget.

"We whould have a park guard in Eaton Park from 4 to 9 p.m.," Battis said of the West Moreland Avenue park, adding that the park hours be changed so at "dusk the park closes entirely, not just basketball courts."

Also under consideration for Eaton Park is a public works annex, which, as part of a roughly $2.8 million borough facilities renovation and expansion plan would help to ease cramped quarters at the Hatboro Police station, as well as at the existing public works garage, officials have said. 

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Money has not been earmarked in the 2014 budget for that project, Zygmont said. Instead, the council is expected to hold capital budget meetings early next year to determine which projects to fund moving forward.


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