The Catasauqua Borough 2015 budget is up for approval Dec. 17.

One member of council, however, questioned a provision in next year's budget during the recent council meeting.

Councilman Eugene Schlegel requested greater clarification relating to the newly created position of assistant borough manager.

The budget is prepared by consensus based on input submitted by various department heads. The consensus vote is not a firm vote, but is used to give an indication of council's support for a given expenditure.

Regarding the assistant borough manager position, Schlegel said there was a misunderstanding.

"We looked at this new position in the budget meeting and decided to by a vote of 5 to 2 not to include it in the budget," he said. "But the cost for the position is included in the preliminary budget that is being published."

Council President Vincent Smith responded to Schlegel's comment.

"Based on the discussion after the vote was taken, I thought it best to just leave it in there so we could discuss it again at the budget meeting," he said.

The actual duties of the position have not been developed. The idea to create a new position originated in discussions concerning the tasks that will need to be accomplished by the borough as the Iron Works project kicks into high gear.

According to Councilwoman Christine Weaver, the planning and zoning committee, which she chairs, will likely recommend someone be appointed by the borough to monitor the borough's interests in the project.

"Spillman and Farmer would be the architects in charge and the contractor will have a project manager, but we should have someone that reports directly to us," she said.

Weaver and Solicitor Jeffery Dimmich are working with Spillman Farmer on a final agreement that will be presented to council for approval in the future.

After listening to the discussion, Schlegel made a motion to delete the position from the budget. His motion passed by a vote of 5 to 2.

Borough Manager Eugene Goldfeder indicated to council and later to The Press after the meeting that if the position was determined to be necessary, council can create the position.

"The money for the position is going to be in our general reserves," Goldfeder said. "A budget is an estimate based on what we see now going forward and allows us to better manage the borough. There are always changes that come up during the year that require us to adjust."

The proposed budget will be acted upon at a special end of the year meeting Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.

The unusual time was selected to avoid conflicts with holiday festivities and to accommodate everyone's schedule.

Council members can add or delete items from the budget during the meeting and public input is welcome.

The preliminary budget is on the borough's website for review.