The City of Bethlehem has released its 2015 proposed budget.
At a public hearing Thursday evening, directors for the Community and Economic Development Department and Community Development Block Grant and Water and Sewer Resources Department presented their budget overviews to council.
Director of Community and Economic Development Alicia Miller Karner said one major change in the budget is the addition of a deputy director position in the department.
"This is a position we moved from another bureau," she said.
The position, she said, is needed due to the current workload and number of employees who report to her.
Council President J. William Reynolds asked what job duties the deputy director will fulfill.
Karner said the employee will work on special projects, manage resources and assist with coordination within the department.
Kristen Wenrich, director of the city health department, told council her department has experienced decreases in funding, particularly with cuts to Act 212 and Act 315 funding.
"We are currently working under those cuts," she said.
The Code Enforcement Department, Karner informed council, is stable.
Reynolds asked Karner to clarify the process of housing inspections and collecting fees and fines.
According to Karner, the city has a 13 percent collection rate.
"Our system is inherently flawed," she said.
Karner emphasized the city does pursue fines associated with building owners who are in violation of certain codes.
"It really comes down to ... We want to get this thing solved," Reynolds said. "We spend a lot of time--city energy time--chasing people down. It may not be the best way to operate."
Councilman Adam Waldron suggested offering a financial incentive to building owners to facilitate higher rates of compliance.
Within the recycling bureau, Karner said a department director of recycling and a part-time office position have been eliminated.
She also told council the city's mulch program provides a resource to the community.
"The opportunity to offer this at no cost to residents is a benefit," Karner said. "We still view this as a tremendous savings to the city."
A 10 percent reduction in non-staff related expenses is Included in the administration, health, code enforcement and planning and zoning department budgets
The water and sewer resources department's 2015 budget includes 110 positions.
"Our staffing will remain the same," department Director Edward Boscola said.
A $400,000 cash balance exists within the department.
"I think we came a long way with the stability of our water department," Councilman Bryan Callahan said.
Estimated general fund revenues in the proposed budget total $71,310,000 and estimated expenditures amount to $71,310,000.
A major revenue source is generated from real estate taxes, which are expected to bring in $25,158,368 while a major source of expenditures comes from personnel costs in the amount of $52,021,917.
Near the conclusion of the hearing Reynolds reminded council it was looking at a proposed tax increase from Mayor Robert Donchez's office.
Last week Donchez proposed a 6.2 percent increase in the real estate tax for 2015.
Thursday's hearing was the first of four budget hearings.
The next budget hearing will be held 6 p.m. Nov. 19 in town hall.
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