Whitehall Township property owners received an early Christmas present Monday when the Board of Commissioners adopted the 2013 budget.

The $19.6 million 2013 spending plan calls for no hike in real estate taxes, retaining the current 8.95 millage rate. The board held hearings earlier on the proposed budget submitted by Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr.

The budget passed unanimously with six commissioners present.

Commissioner President Linda Snyder raised the only question, asking whether there is funding available in the budget for fire department equipment.

Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers, charged with putting the budget together, said no equipment costs are planned. Also not included is the means to allow the township to reduce its debt payments.

Meyers also said Snyder was correct in relating the aerial fire truck at the Fullerton station is experiencing mechanical issues.

Hozza said a real estate tax was not needed because revenue projections are expected to rise with an economy on the rebound and spending controls put in place.

The mayor noted the actual millage rate will be adjusted to reflect the 2013 reassessed real estate values set by Lehigh County. The millage numbers will not affect the township's action in keeping property taxes at bay.

For owners with a property assessed at $70,000, their township real estate tax bill will remain at $626.

Township officials said property owners will not see an increase in garbage collection fees.

Major projects in the 2013 budget include eight road improvement projects, several equipment upgrades, modest pay hikes and mandated raises for police per their union contract with the township. The commissioners stipends and Hozza's salary are unchanged.

"A return to normalcy" are words Hozza used to describe the 2013 budget.

The process of preparing the budget was less stressful this year than it was during the past several years, when the commissioners grappled with budget figures by whittling down the numbers to either reduce real estate taxes or keep the tax levy unchanged.

In a related action, the commissioners adopted the enactment of the realty transfer tax, earned income tax, per capita tax, local services tax and the business privilege tax.