Lehighton Borough council unanimously agreed at its budget workshop on Thursday to approve the 2019 proposed budget with a 1.5-mill increase.

Of that, 1 mill has been allocated toward the general fund, while a half-mill is to go toward the fire department equipment investment account. That increases the total annual contribution of $80,000 toward fire equipment based on the fire department’s strategic plan.

If council approves the 1.5-mill increase, it would raise the millage rate to 9.5 mills.

That would mean a homeowner with a home assessed at $50,000 would pay $475, or $75 more, to the borough next year in taxes.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said numerous cuts were made in working with each department head.

Personnel costs represent a large portion of the budget to cover the costs of administration, public works, police, recreation and the Light & Power departments.

Beckett said the borough’s police department budget has increased nearly $185,000, which represents 34 percent of the total general fund allocation of $1,643,068.

Additionally, she said the proposed assistant borough manager position ($65,000) and public works storage building ($37,000) are allocated in the budget if council decides to proceed with those next year.

Beckett said the 2019 budget will serve as a blueprint into the next year and the future.

“We have many projects ongoing, and have allocated funding to cover existing projects,” Beckett said.

“We will continue to provide the same services to the residents.”

In a related matter, council approved the following budget transfers:

• $40,000 from the general fund to Wells Fargo for the fire equipment fund.

• $160,000 from the general fund to the fire station construction fund.

• $40,000 from the general fund to the capital projects fund.

• $152,483 from the fire station construction fund to the sewer capital construction fund.

• $20,631 from the fire station construction fund to the light and power fund.

• $27,500 from the sewer revenue to the general fund for public work wages.

Council expects to grant the 2019 budget final adoption when it meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 17.