SAXONBURG — The residents of the borough will not see a tax increase next year if the current version of the budget is approved in December.

The council voted at their Tuesday evening meeting to approve a balanced $899,000 preliminary 2022 budget.

The budget amount is about $60,000 more than last year.

The police department line item continues to be the borough's largest expense.

At initial budget discussions last month, a tax increase was mentioned to cover expenses in 2022.

But Mary Papik, borough manager, later reported that $91,500 of the $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds received by the borough for pandemic relief can be transferred to the general fund to cover expenses.

She said $75,000 can be transferred to the 2022 budget and the remainder of the $91,500 in 2023.

As requested by Mayor Bill Gillespie, $30,000 will be transferred from the borough budget's capital expense fund into the park budget.

While the amount is designated for work on buildings at Roebling Park, it is expected that the funds will be spent on an engineering study at the park's wire rope shop.

The foundation at the building is failing, but a study is required to be in place before borough officials can begin applying for grants to repair the problem.

The $30,000 will come from the borough's $177,000 capital improvement fund.

A $70,000 project to repair rotted wood causing water damage below the borough building's windows and another to pave at the borough building for an estimated $38,000 were scrapped for next year's budget and will be postponed to 2023.

Councilman Dave Felsing suggested the borough allow the South Butler Community Library to use Cooper Hall once per year at no cost to make up for the borough's inability to increase the annual donation to the library from the current $4,000 per year.

Felsing said Clinton Township donates $28,000 per year and Jefferson donated $17,000 and promised more.

Sherry Weinzierl, council president, said she did not feel it was fair to offer Cooper Hall to the library and not the other worthy nonprofit groups in the borough.

Patricia Rinebolt, council vice president, said the library is soliciting donations from residents as well.

Felsing's request was not granted.

Also at the meeting, the council announced it will vote on 2022 council meeting dates at the December meeting.

The meetings will continue to be held at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month.