MARS -- The borough anticipates a surplus of just over $20,000 in its proposed budget for 2024.

The 2024 draft budget, which is publicly available on the borough’s website, estimates total revenue will overcome expenditures by $21,521. Estimated revenue amounts to $1,536,228, just outpacing the estimated expenditures of $1,514,707.

The top item on the expenditures sheet is public works for highways, roads and streets, an item for which $407,262 is earmarked. This is followed closely by $372,789 for public safety, $344,932 for general government, and $342,452 for miscellaneous public works, including water.

Another $47,270.00 is earmarked for “recreation,” which includes the costs of maintaining parks and holding annual events such as the Fourth of July celebration.

In the revenue section, $696,890 will come from “charges for services” -- the bulk of that coming from water bills and associated fees. $439,709 will come from taxes, while $166,050 will come from “other financing sources” -- namely, transfers from the Highway Aid Fund and American Rescue Plan Fund. Five other categories total $233,579.

The draft budget was approved at a meeting of borough council on Monday, Nov. 6, and it is now in its “public comment period.” The council will meet on Monday, Dec. 18 to vote to approve it as final.