Northampton Borough Manager Gene Zarayko is hard at work preparing the 2014 budget.

Zarayko's challenge is keeping real estate taxes stable while funding many of the borough's needs, along with the prospect of health insurance rates increasing.

"I have a game plan," Zarayko said.

The budget should be ready for council review Nov. 21. Borough lawmakers will then mull over the tentative spending plan for next year. The adoption of the 2014 budget will take place at a council meeting in November.

Zarayko said it is too early to say whether the tentative budget will include an increase in real estate taxes or remain unchanged. This year's 5.75-million budget includes a millage rate of 8.31.

Another factor Zarayko said the administration is dealing with is the earned income tax.

"For the first six months, the earned income tax revenue was good, but since has fallen off," he said.

Street improvements in the borough's four wards are expected to be part of the 2014 borough budget. However, no big ticket items are expected to be included.

A bond issue was approved earlier for the fire station addition as well as new playground equipment.