Macungie Borough Council discussed the budget for 2017 at its Dec. 5 meeting with an income increase of $1,000,000 and an increase in expenditures of $1,400,000. The total general revenue 2017 in the borough will be $2,979,035 while the 2017 general expenditures will be $2,969,876. Council also noted a purchase of a a new backhoe in 2018 is expected.

Vacation time for borough employees was discussed as borough employees were not using their vacation time during the year and either trying to take it all at the end of the year or accumulating it. Discussion included forcing employees to schedule out their vacation time for the year early on in the year and not allowing vacation time to carry over from year to year.

Council approved the 2017 tax rate which stayed the same as the 2016 tax rate.

The annual animal control contract with the Lehigh County Humane Society service was renewed with an annual straight fee of $800. The service includes catching stray animals found in the borough by residents or police.

Council approved the hiring of two part-time police officers. Macungie Mayor Gary Cordner suggested Michael Marshal and Anthony Campanell, even though the mayor was not able to be present at the meeting. The council unanimously approved both officers contingent on background checks.

Borough Manager Chris Boehm reminded everyone the Macungie Holiday is scheduled Dec. 10 with family fun, food, music, displays, special events and activities throughout the borough.

Council discussed 2017 meeting dates. It was noted some meetings will be on Tuesdays rather than Mondays due to holidays and the first July meeting will be July 5, 2017.

In other business, council discussed an amendment to the sewer rate. The fixed sewer service fee was reduced from $43.54 per quarter to $23.88 per quarter and added a new debt service fee of $64.50 per quarter so the borough can pay back the cost of a capital improvement loan. There was also an added surcharge for certain waste. The council passed the ordinance unanimously.

The council also talked about the community development block grant. The grant comes from Lehigh County and is used to build ramps in the borough. The council unanimously approved the Lehigh County grant.

This was the last Macungie Borough Council meeting of 2016. The next meeting will be Jan. 3, 2017. Meetings are held 7:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month at Macungie Borough Hall.