ZELIENOPLE — Council approved a $11 million 2020 operating budget in December, with no changes from the preliminary budget.

The budget's size, though about 1.23 percent bigger than it was in 2019, is not unusual for the borough, according to Donald Pepe, borough manager.

“It's not out of the realm of normal,” Pepe said.

Taxes were not raised to cover an anticipated increase in expenses. The rate remains at 5.81 mills, as it has for several years.

Any cost increase instead will largely be covered by revenue generated by the borough's electric company. The $11,043,063 budget slates $5,510,599 for the Electric Fund.

“We get most of our income through that,” Pepe said.

Council did not raise electric utility fees for residents in 2020. There are just under 4,000 residents in the borough.

According to Pepe, the 1.23 percent budget increase mostly comes from personnel changes and construction projects.

Budget planning for 2020 included a staff reorganization. Pepe said some positions were shifted in the budget to fill voids left by recent retirements.

The borough's 5.81 mills break down into four categories.

General purposes amount to 1.81 mills. Recreation and library purposes are 1 mill each. The fire department receives 2 mills.

The fire fund is budgeted for $59,605. The library fund is $29,803, while the borough's water utility is slated for $2,171,722.

The liquid fuels highway fund is budgeted for $225,000.

Public safety — which is calculated into the $3,046,334 general fund — allows for $1,336,556 for the police department and $55,652 for the fire company.

The borough is well-positioned to cover all costs associated with the budget's six major funds, according to Pepe.

“They're all balanced,” Pepe said. “We're in good shape.”

Council anticipates a couple of major projects this year, according to Pepe. The borough will continue Main Street improvement projects.

The budget also allows for stormwater projects developed after the borough experienced significant flooding in 2019.

These are scheduled under the borough's capital improvement fund.

Pepe said though council has budgeted for what it expects in 2020, it can't plan for everything.

“There's always surprises,” Pepe said. “But if something happens, we have a fairly significant reserve fund.”

The borough reorganization meeting is 7 p.m. Jan. 6. Council's first meeting of the year is 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13.