The 2020 budget was adopted by Northampton Borough Council at its Dec. 19, 2019, meeting.

The budget includes the purchase of a new aerial firetruck and a new police vehicle, the addition of a police officer and a public works employee, equipment for the public works department and the installation of a pavilion at the swimming pool.

The projected $6.97 million in expenditures is supported by a 10.5-mill real estate rate, a half-mill hike from 2019. It is the first time in four years that property taxes have been raised.

A homeowner whose property is assessed at $50,000 will pay an additional $25 in property taxes in 2020.

Council approved the budget unanimously without comment. Ed Pany, outgoing councilman, was not present. No members of the public attended the meeting to add comments.

The proposed budget was introduced and given preliminary approval in November before the December 2019 adoption.

In earlier meetings, borough Manager LeRoy Brobst was credited for the work he and the administration did in addressing the borough’s needs and obligations with the budget. At the Dec. 19, 2019, meeting, Brobst noted the cooperation between department heads, council members, the mayor and his staff made the budget process smoother.

The borough anticipates its closing balance for 2019 at $1,394,818, with sufficient funds to keep the borough running until the 2020 real estate tax receipts begin arriving.