Lehigh County Board of Commissioners took its first look at the 2017 budget at its Oct. 13 meeting.

The 2017 budget amounts to $399 million and includes roughly 33 amendments. The budget also proposes no tax increase and keeps the millage rate stable at 3.68 mills.

Commissioner Geoff Brace introduced an amendment, which was approved, that would eliminate a line item for the Northern Lehigh Community Center. An ordinance would be required to release $100,000 in funds.

Commissioner Michael Schware expressed the desire for more discussions on the amendment, specifically inquiring why there was no line item for such centers in Emmaus or Macungie boroughs.

According to Brace, county Executive Tom Muller has indicated support for working with the board on the project.

The board also reviewed and supported an amendment related to a line item in the amount of $10,000 or 10 percent of the funding for the MacArthur Road 75th Anniversary.

Other amendments discussed include reducing the general wage increase for county employees from 2.25 to 2 percent, as well as an amendment reducing a pay increase proposed at 3.5 percent for nonbargaining Cedarbrook Nursing Home employees to 2 percent.

The board will hold its next meeting 7 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 S. Seventh St.