MIDDLESEX TWP — Residents will not see a tax increase this year as township revenue continues to climb and millage rates remain steady ever since a 2009 decline.

The tentative 2019 budget proposes $2.63 million in spending and $2.75 million in projected available funds, leaving the borough with a balance of around $120,061.

“Were in a good predicament for next year,” said Travis Cavanaugh, township manager. “We still have a few housing plans being developed, some houses being built.”

As revenue and asset valuations have increased over the years, township spending has increased as well, without the need to raise taxes.

The main project for 2019 is to build a new salt shed, Cavanaugh said. Of the $962,920 budgeted for public works, $430,000 is set aside for road repairs. The township also expects to receive $271,546 in liquid fuels to be used for the maintenance of township roads.

Revenue is projected to be around $2.16 million, a bit less than last year, but Cavanaugh said those projections err on the conservative side, and actual revenue might be greater than what is listed in the proposed budget.

Over the past four years, revenue has increased from $2.28 million in 2014 to $2.67 million in 2018.

Officials began the budget meeting with a quick recap of 2018, touting some of the projects the township managed to complete, including the resurfacing and stormwater management upgrades on more than a half-dozen township roads, including Deer Creek Road, State Road and others.

The budget also noted an assessed valuation increase of $3.05 million since the end of 2015.