When formulating any type of spending plan, it can be wise to start high so to allow some wiggle room to come back down.

That was the train of thought behind Walnutport Borough Council’s decision on Thursday to advertise the 2024 budget with a 1-mill increase, which calls for a tax millage of 20.25 mills.

Afterward, council then agreed to advertise the preliminary budget for public review from Nov. 20 through Dec. 11.

Councilwoman Jen Wentz cited increases in the cost of living, as well as the cost of materials, as the basis.

“I always present a worse-case scenario,” Wentz said. “One-mill would be the worst case scenario; I don’t expect it to be that much.”

Borough residents did not see an increase in their municipal tax rates this year.

In December, council adopted this year’s budget with no tax increase, which left the millage rate at 19.25 mills.

That came after council on a 6-1 vote in November 2023 agreed to advertise this year’s preliminary budget with a half-mill increase, from 19.25 to 19.75 mills, despite being adamant there would be no actual tax increase.

However, Wentz stressed at that time she didn’t expect a tax increase this year, which there was not.