A resolution giving final approval to the $6.3 million 2018 budget for Northampton Borough passed by a unanimous vote at borough council’s Dec. 21, 2017, meeting. The proposed spending plan had been presented to council by borough Manager LeRoy Brobst at council’s Dec. 7, 2017, workshop.

Following the passing of that resolution, an ordinance fixing the tax rate for borough residents was also approved. Both votes were unanimous.

The tax rate was set at 10 mills on each dollar of a property’s assessed value. Earned Income Tax, which is shared by the borough and the Northampton Area School District, will continue at the rate of 1.2 percent. The local services tax will be unchanged at $52 annually, and a real estate transfer tax will also remain unchanged.

Brobst told The Press he expects some pushback on a proposed rental unit and inspection ordinance to be on the agenda of a January council meeting.

Former magisterial district justice Joan Marakovits, who owns a rental property in the borough, reviewed a copy of the proposed ordinance and told council a number of issues concern her.

She said paying an annual fee to re-license a rental property seems excessive and also commented that extra fees would likely be passed on to renters, which would place a burden on senior citizens who rent properties in the borough.

She also questioned a proposed requirement for apartment inspections every three years, calling it “something a big city needs” and not appropriate for a borough with a population of 12,000.

Brobst said the ordinance will be advertised and will most likely be presented at a public hearing before the Jan. 18 borough council meeting, at which time an approval vote may be on the agenda.

Also at the meeting, council approved the hiring of Matthew Bennicoff as a part-time police officer in the borough police department, pending completion of psychological and physical certifications. Police Chief Bryan Kadingo said with the hiring of Bennicoff, the police department is now staffed with 11 full-time and six part-time officers.