If a preliminary budget for 2015 is approved in December, North Catasauqua residents will not face an increase in local taxes next year.

The 10.7-mil tax rate will adequately support the $1,513,250 general fund and $528,650 sewer fund spending plans, according to borough Treasurer Annette Englert, who presented the proposed budget to the council.

The proposed budget, totaling $2,041,900, is posted for public review at borough hall. Council is expected to discuss and offer recommendations for revision at the next council meeting and to vote on final approval Dec. 9.

The general fund figure represents a 2.2-percent increase over last year's budget. The sewer fund proposal calls for a 2-percent increase.

The proposed budget was drafted by Englert with help from council President Joe Keglovits, based on requests for funding from department heads and committee chairs.

On the revenue side of the ledger, the proposed budget includes an estimated $570,000 in property taxes, $357,500 in earned income taxes and $290,000 in garbage fees. Other income for the borough includes per capita and occupation taxes, licensing, permits and police fines. Most of the sewer fund income is from sewer fee payments received.

Salaries and benefits for the administrator/secretary, treasurer, engineer, mayor, manager of borough services and council members add up to an estimated $111,747 in the general fund and $91,306 in the sewer fund, with most salaries split between the two funds. Included in that proposed amount is a salary for a public works supervisor and assistant supervisor, newly created job descriptions expected to be hired next year.

The largest portion of the budget is for police protection, proposed at $551,855. It includes a payroll for the police chief, four full-time and an unspecified number of part-time patrolmen as well as costs for training, equipment, vehicle maintenance and insurance. The replacement of one police vehicle is budgeted at $23,000.

The proposed fire department budget totals $101,263 and includes $54,388 in payments on the loan for the fire truck purchased this year in addition to vehicle maintenance and equipment replacement and upkeep. All firefighters in the department are volunteers.

Expenses proposed for next year include the purchase of a new lawn mower and replacement of the borough hall roof.