The Borough of Northampton has started putting together its 2017 budget.

This is an earlier start than what is customary for the administration, which provides the tentative spending plan to council. Borough lawmakers will review and act on the plan before the year ends.

Recently appointed borough Manager Leroy Brobst informed council at the Aug. 18 meeting that budget work is underway.

Brobst, previous longtime assistant to the manager, said this is the first budget he is putting together. Retired borough Manager Gene Zarayko handled the job for decades.

While it is premature to note whether the borough will have to increase the real estate tax levy, the present 2016 budget included a one-mill raise in property taxes and, in 2015, a half-mill hike. Nevertheless, borough property owners’ real estate bills, for the most part, fall lower than many boroughs in Northampton County.

A main component of the 2017 budget will be police salaries and benefits. The present contract for the 11 officers expires at the end of December. Brobst said the administration, a council committee and police are in bargaining talks regarding a new multi-year contract.

Past contracts have been settled without having to go to binding arbitration.

The borough is expected to continue having street upgrades as a budget priority. There has been no mention to date of any anticipated capital improvement projects for 2017.

On the revenue side, as the borough enters the fourth quarter of the year, receipts from the earned income tax will be a major part in the new budget.