Butler Eagle File Photo

Mars borough has made public the final draft of its 2025 budget.

The spending plan has gone through numerous workshops and discussions with the borough council over the last two months. As of the most recent council meeting Monday, Dec. 2, the borough is anticipating a balanced budget.

According to the draft budget, which has been posted on the borough’s website, Mars has budgeted for $2,206,414.45 in revenues and $2,206,404.99 in expenses. This would come out to a surplus of $9.46 for 2025.

The bulk of Mars’ projected revenues — $915,644.00 — is listed under “intergovernmental revenues,” with $790,313 of that coming from various grants. These include a $151,868 grant from the state Department of Transportation for the reconstruction and resurfacing of Spring Avenue Road, as well as $610,000 in Local Share Account grants.

Another $717,440 is listed under “charges for services.” The bulk of that is water-related, with $704,590 in revenue expected in water fees.

Another $432,909.31 in revenue would come from taxes, with $217,209.31 coming from real estate taxes and $185,000.00 coming from the Earned Income Tax.

The most costly expenditure on the budget is public works, which takes up $1,383,279.03, with $476,358,40 of that earmarked for the roads.

Another $451,822.21 is budgeted for public safety, including $345,754.21 for police and $76,784.00 for fire, while $330,004.75 is budgeted for general government.

The final version of the Mars borough budget is expected to be approved during the borough council meeting Dec. 16.

Offices for the borough of Mars will now be housed at the 301 Arch St. building, where Mars Borough’s council already has held their meetings for the past year. Butler Eagle File Photo