When Northampton Borough Council meets for its final meeting of the year Dec. 21, members will vote to approve a $6.3 million budget for 2018. The proposed spending plan was presented to the council by borough Manager LeRoy Brobst at the Dec. 7 workshop meeting.

“This has been a very cost-effective year,” Brobst said of 2017. “We’ve managed to keep costs down.”

The result is that the borough balance is expected to end the year in the black, with a total of $882,198 in checking, liquid fuels and recreation fund accounts.

Estimated borough revenue for 2018 is expected to come mostly from borough taxes, totaling $3.46 million. Other revenue sources include an assortment of fines, fees, grant funding and financing, which, together with taxes, is estimated to total $6,268,942.

A copy of the proposed budget is available for public review at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave.

Public safety costs are the biggest proposed expense category, totaling $2.08 million. This includes $1.7 million for police protection, $134,117 for fire protection and $128,900 for code enforcement and building inspection, as well as costs for the Northampton Emergency Squad, planning, emergency management and zoning. The Northampton Fire Department will be acquiring a new firetruck, and the Northampton Borough Police Department will add a new cruiser.

Insurance and employee benefits take a big slice of the budget pie. Insurance on public property and vehicles is expected to total $45,215, and employee benefits including health insurance and pensions will total $919,092.

The public works highway budget totals $945,896 and includes the purchase of a $200,000 paving machine. The borough is working on an agreement with the Borough of North Catasauqua for sharing the use of the paving machine, but payment from North Catasauqua is not reflected in the proposed budget. Other highway expenses include street cleaning, lighting, snow removal, maintenance and construction, as well as curb and sidewalk construction and storm sewer maintenance and construction.

Public works sanitation costs will total $922,262 and include refuse collection and weed and grass control. A zero-turn mower will be purchased in 2018.

Culture and recreation costs will total $523,748. This includes $294,470 for the recreation center, $69,028 for the swimming pool and $100,675 for parks and playgrounds, as well as costs for the Northampton Borough Public Library, community programs and celebrations.

General government costs will total $432,466. This includes a budget for legislative and administrative costs and salaries, financial administration, tax collection, legal counsel costs and the operation and maintenance of municipal buildings.

Debt service totals $400,800 and includes $393,200 for general obligation bonds and $7,600 for interest on equipment loans.

The budget includes an ending balance of $1.2 million, providing a cushion for unanticipated costs.