SLIPPERY ROCK — With some tweaks, borough council passed a budget balanced at $1,069,390 without a tax increase.

For 2019, council members reduced spending for ordinance review and implementation from $20,000 to $7,096. They reallocated the savings to buy street signs, an additional $5,089, and to vehicle maintenance and repair, an additional $7,815.

Council also paid $100,000 of the unspent loan funds from the First National Bank project.

Council repaid $225,000 of unspent loan funds last year, but it held another $100,000 of unspent funds in case it was needed throughout the year, according to Russell Karl, council president.

The new payment brings the outstanding balance to more than $400,000, according to Karl.

Council also approved the same tax rates as last year, including real estate at 21.21 mills, street lighting at 2 mills and fire protection at 1.165 mills.

Karl said in doing so, council followed through on many of the promises made during the election campaign.

“I feel that we've met most of our goals this year,” Karl said. “We've done it without any tax increases.”

Karl also acknowledged the factoring in new costs related to a full-time code enforcement officer, $30,000.

Karl said the $30,000 may change based upon need.

“That's part of the money we're going to use for that,” Karl said. “Without having (a salary to reference), we needed a number to start with.”

Code enforcement goes full-time

Council voted to hire a full-time code enforcement officer.

Karl said the current part-time code enforcement officer can't keep up with the demands of the position.

“He doesn't have enough time in two days per week to inspect for occupancy licenses as well as enforce all the other codes,” Karl said.

Itzi Meztli was the lone council member to dissent.

Meztli said he not in favor of a full-time officer and wanted to review the planned updated job description before voting on the position.