For the first time since 2014, homeowners in Lansford will not have to pay more in municipal property taxes.

Borough council voted unanimously Wednesday night to advertise a 2019 budget, which keeps tax rates level with last year.

Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at borough hall.

The spending plan includes approximately $1.6 million in expenses.

The tax rate will remain at 35.84 mills — 30 for general purposes, 1.28 for debt service, 1 for fire protection, 2.81 for lighting, 0.5 for pension, and 0.25 for parks and recreation.

“We are looking at not decreasing taxes, and not raising taxes. The millage rate will remain the same in town. The last time the taxes were even or decreased in the borough were the years 2013-14, when there was a decrease from 32.91 mills to 32.82 mills,” said council President Jared Soto.

When council started the budget process they were faced with a decrease in property tax revenue because some property owners successfully appealed to have their tax assessment decreased.

Council agreed to move 0.75 mills from parks and recreation to the general fund to help balance the budget.

“The millage this year will basically cover the expenses. We have enough carry-over from previous years to complete the projects we want to do,” Soto said.

After consulting with the Lansford Police Department, council decided to delay hiring a seventh police officer until March or April. The estimated savings from waiting, between wages and insurance, are estimated to be $17,000-$25,000.

They are also looking to raise fees for zoning variances and other services the borough provides. Those fees will be up for a vote in January.

Council agreed to take out a $100,000 tax anticipation loan at 3.6 percent interest. They also agreed to hire Brian T. Kelly CPA and Associates to audit the borough’s finances at a base cost of $7,200.

Soto said council will look at other ways to save money in 2019. The borough plans to work with a company called iWorq to implement software that they hope will enable borough staff to keep better tabs on zoning and building code issues.

Soto said he hopes the software will allow the borough to reduce the number of hours the borough has to pay an outside firm to do zoning and code enforcement, which is a big expense.

Soto said in 2019 council has to decide what they want to do with the parking meters in the business district, many of which are broken.

He also said the borough needs to decide what expectations there are for reopening the Lansford Pool. The pool has been closed since 2016. The borough has $40,000 in an account for the pool which could be used elsewhere.

“We need to make sure we’re handling it the right way, being respectful of the other stakeholders that were involved in these kinds of decisions before we make them, but these are things that we as council absolutely have to consider,” Soto said.