An unexpected change in the numbers is not expected to impact the bottom line for the 2013 Coplay budget.

"Unfortunately ... we've got some information which does not help the budget," said Councilman Joseph Groller, giving his finance committee report at Tuesday's workshop meeting

Employee health insurance premiums will rise by 32 percent, said Groller.

In addition, real estate assessments are lower than estimated, following Lehigh County's reassessment.

"We do plan on staying with the same millage that I proposed at the last meeting," said Groller.

That proposed rate is 3.71 mills, which results in a $31 annual real estate tax increase for the average homeowner, Groller said last month when the proposed 2013 budget was read for the first time.

Coplay did not raise real estate taxes for the past three years.

Another issue concerns earned income tax revenues. Coplay has been paying tax collector Jeffry Deutsch $200 a month to monitor EIT collection because some funds intended to Coplay Borough are going to the Parkland School District where some properties also have Coplay addresses, Groller said.

Deutsch has agreed to accept $100 a month next year for the same work, resulting in a savings of $1,200, Groller said.

"I'm hoping in the future we can eliminate [the payment] completely," Groller said.

Although it's too late to switch health insurance companies this year, the finance committee will look for cheaper rates for 2014, Groller said.

Council President Lou Bodish said the borough has shopped around in the past for health insurance but did not find it cheaper through a different carrier.

In order to make sure the tax rate does not increase from what was already proposed, Groller said finance committee members are going over the budget, line by line, looking to make cuts wherever possible.