RINGTOWN - The borough council formally adopted its 2012 operating budget Monday evening, holding the line on taxes.
Revenues and expenses are balanced at $337,154 for next year in the general budget. The water budget, also adopted, is balanced with total revenues and expenditures at $164,450.
"Our 2012 budget includes no tax increase and no increase in water rates," said council President Julian J. Milewski. "The water account is close because of the loss of income due to the plant closings and the water re-use system up at Jeld-Wen, but we're holding our own."
The real estate tax will remain at 10 mills. The 2011 budget included a two-mill increase. Each mill brings in $12,067.
Milewski asked for questions or comments from council members about the budget. Hearing none, he asked for comments from the public.
Resident Albert Cicioni responded.
"I question the salary increase for the secretary and the foreman," Cicioni said, referring to borough Secretary Angela Mays and Foreman Scott Schuetrum.
"In view of all of the expenses with the school and so forth, I don't know how you can do all that. I oppose the increase for that," Cicioni said.
The comment on the school referred the to former Ringtown Area Elementary Center, which was turned over to borough ownership after the North Schuylkill School District closed the school a few years ago. According to the budget, heating and maintaining the school will cost $13,400 out of a total "Government Buildings and Plant" expense of $19,950 for all borough buildings.
Milewski acknowledged Cicioni's comment and asked for a motion to adopt the budget, which was passed unanimously.