The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners does not want a tax increase in 2015.

At the board's Jan. 22 meeting, the commissioners presented a non-binding resolution stating it wants the county budget balanced in a sustainable manner.

The commissioners approved the resolution 8-0.

Absent from the meeting was Commissioner Thomas Creighton.

Commissioner Michael Schware authored the resolution which aims to avoid an increase in taxes for county residents and businesses, while placing more money in the county's surplus fund. The resolution also strives to provide county Executive Tom Muller enough time to draft a budget agreeable to the commissioners.

"I look at this resolution as a first step in what will likely be a year-long budget process," Schware said.

Commissioner Percy Dougherty supported the resolution, indicating the commissioners should begin working on next year's budget as soon as possible.

"It's good if we start early like this and work with the administration," Dougherty said.

Commissioner Brad Osborne said the challenge for the commissioners is to reduce the nearly $8 million deficit. Without an adequate plan to resolve the deficit, Osborne said the board will likely have to deal with the very real possibility of increasing taxes.

Commissioner Vic Mazziotti reminded the board the resolution is not a specific directive Muller must follow, but rather a look at what the commissioners would like the 2015 budget to look like.

Muller compared the resolution to a Christmas wish list addressed to Santa Claus. There is about $10 million in cuts included in the board's wish list. According to Muller, $10 million would help erase the deficit.

In other business, homeless advocate Diane Teti, of Allentown, informed the commissioners the Allentown YMCA and YWCA, 425 S. 15th St., will be providing temporary shelter to homeless people in the area during the winter months. Teti said the shelter services offered by the YMCA and YWCA are needed, emphasizing to the commissioners the recent cold weather the Lehigh Valley has had and its impact on those living on the streets.

Muller said the county intervenes in cases when an emergency is declared by a city such as Allentown.