Getting the 2022 preliminary budget in October was news to the Slatington borough manager Monday night.

Council member David Schnaars asked Borough Manager Dan Stevens if he could have the preliminary budget ready for the council in time for their October meeting. Usually, the council gets the preliminary budget in November and votes to approve the budget in December.

“It would be nice if we have some working figures to work with, so that we can actually have serious discussions about them,” he said. “We always end up with it in early November and then we’re running crazy with special meetings to try to get everything done by December.”

Schnaars said he thinks that with two-thirds of the year’s expenses done that next year’s numbers should be similar enough to give some preliminary figures.

The topic came up at the end of the meeting after council had already approved a couple additions to the 2022 budget.

The council approved adding $10,000 to the preliminary budget to cover the cost of re-codification of the ordinances.

Borough Solicitor Edmund Healy said the project may take two years. The work hasn’t been done in 13 years, and many amendments have been passed in that time.

Council also approved putting a part-time assistant code enforcement officer position in the preliminary budget. The job would pay $15 per hour for 19 hours per week. Hours would be 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday.

Schnaars would also like to add another person to the borough crew, because two of the three people are in their 60s and will be considering retirement in a few years. Having the budget numbers in October would help the council in deciding if another position would be feasible.

“I’m aware we’ve got some real budget challenges and that’s why we need to attack it early on rather than wait until the last minute,” he said.

Stevens said he doesn’t think it will be possible to have a preliminary budget ready. The quotes for insurance are not in yet and contract negotiations do not start until October.

“It’ll be a miracle,” he said.

Council President Bryon Reed suggested that having a preliminary budget ready for the committees would help to get a head start on the process. It also would give Stevens a little extra time.

In other business, the council approved hiring Bruce George Paving and Excavating Inc. in Kunkletown to do repairs on the sewer trench on Chestnut Street for $14,367.25.

The project will be paid for with money from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. A large section of the trench sunk at the bottom of the street, Stevens told the council.

The council also approved to hire Bruce George Paving to remove damage from floods on the Slate Heritage Trail and replace the materials for $6,350. This also will be paid for with money from the same recovery fund.

Stevens told the council that he called seven companies to get quotes for the trail project, but only Bruce George Paving would give him a quote. The other companies were too busy with projects.

Since Bruce George Paving would be in town already to work on the sewer trench repairs on Chestnut Street and their equipment would be here, the company gave a quote.

The council approved the following purchases and services:

• A new zero-turn mower for $8,779.40 and a Toro push mower for $499 both from Whitehall Turf Equipment in Whitehall to be paid with money from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The council approved selling the old zero-turn mower on Municibid.

• Two direction signs near the covered bridge for up to a total of $300.

The council also approved the following events:

• Slatington Lioness Club will hold a trail cleanup on Saturday morning. Contact the borough for more information.

• Northern Lehigh School District’s Homecoming Parade on Oct. 15. The parade use Center and Union streets, and Bulldog Lane.

• Annual Halloween parade at 6 p.m. on Oct. 30. Roads will close at 5 p.m. The rain date is Oct. 31.