Northampton Borough council introduced the $6 million 2014 budget at the Nov. 21 meeting.

Borough Manager Gene Zarayko said the proposed budget includes a 0.4-mill increase in real estate taxes. Council will vote on adopting the budget when it meets in December.

"Most of the increases can be attributed to the cost of health care, fuel and wage increases," Zarayko said.

Council members did not comment. The budget is expected to be approved with little or no dissent.

"We can no longer stay at 8.1 mills," Zarayko said. "The proposed budget does not include any major capital improvement projects other than the ones funded by the recent budget issue."

The millage rate for 2014 will stand at 8.5 mills. For a home assessed at $50,000 and appraised at $100,000, the homeowner will pay $20 more or $1.67 more per month.

Zarayko said a survey of real estate millage rates of neighboring boroughs in the county shows Northampton the second lowest, second only to the borough of Chapman.

Zarayko said the budget takes into account the many services the borough provides such as police, parks, a swimming pool, recreation center and funding and services for the library.

A new police vehicle is budgeted, along with a new pickup truck with a plow for public works and $78,000 for paving materials.

The recreation center will also receive a new computer, an upgraded security system and $16,000 to replace aging fitness equipment.

The borough fire department fleet is in good condition, Zarayko said. The next major purchase of a fire truck is scheduled for 2020.

The sewer budget amounts to $1,486,200, including $100,000 to replace defunct air conditioners at the wastewater treatment plant and minor upgrades to three pump stations.

The borough anticipates generating $1,606,222 in real estate taxes and $1,130,000 in earned income taxes.