South Whitehall commissioners have approved the 2014 budget, which includes $14.4 million in general fund appropriations and $5.6 million in capital expenditures.

The rate of taxation is 1.64975 mills. Residents will continue to pay the same amount of tax they have had since 1991.

"This is the culmination of months of work by staff, the board of commissioners, and everyone in the organization," township Manager Jon Hammer said at the Dec. 18, 2013, meeting. "It is a balanced budget."

As the budget was worked out at several public workshop sessions during fall 2013, commissioners had only one topic of discussion before voting.

Noting the $25,000 contribution listed for the Cetronia Ambulance Corps, Commissioner Glenn Block suggested the amount be reduced.

"We fully support the Cetronia Ambulance Corps, but the township runs an extremely tight budget," Block said. "I personally suggest a $10,000 amount."

Commissioner Christina "Tori" Morgan disagreed.

"I think their request was extremely reasonable," she said. "The $25,000 is the same amount we give to Tri-Clover Fire Company."

A vote was taken, and the amount agreed upon was $10,000. Commissioner David Bond abstained.

Hammer spoke to The Press about Cetronia's request.

"We gave them nothing last year," Hammer said. "This is a new amount they're asking for."

Morgan said the higher amount was justified due to Cetronia's involvement in township events throughout the year and the organization's offer to house the Incident Command Vehicle, recently authorized for purchase.

One of the larger budget items, which will be noticed by residents, is an upgrade of the main entrance lobby at a cost of $150,000.

Changes will include realignment of the permits and payment window, improvements for Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility, and enhancements of internal controls and security, including the public meeting room.

Another major project will be a sally port addition to the police department.

The proposed 32-foot by 30-foot structure will allow officers to drive into the port before removing suspects from the patrol vehicle, thus reducing the risk of having the suspect resist or escape.

The estimated cost is $150,000.

A total of $400,000 is allocated for road surface treatments throughout the township.

Woodlawn Fire Company is provided $10,000 for an in-station fill line to avoid ice on Whitehall Avenue in winter; $8,000 for a front driveway to replace the existing one, which is sinking and cracking from the heavy trucks; and $3,000 for a vent saw for opening roofs at fires.

Greenawalds Fire Company will be receiving $10,000 for an extractor to remove contaminants from firefighters' gear.

Cetronia Fire Company will be undertaking an upgrade of the bathrooms, showers and kitchen at a cost of $20,000 to improve conditions for day and overnight stand-by crews at the facility.

The vote on the budget was unanimous for acceptance.