Alburtis Borough Council passed its 2017 budget, totaling around $1.6 million in revenue and expenditures at its meeting Dec. 28, 2016. An ordinance was approved, increasing the sanitary sewer rentals and fees by 9 percent and holding the property tax rate at 3.83 mills.

According to the approved ordinance, the flat rate for a dwelling unit will increase by $10 per quarter totaling around $120. A dwelling unit will pay around $480 per year and commercial establishments $538 for the fiscal year.

Council approved salary increases and hourly rates of 3 percent for some borough employees: borough manager at $61,800, $17.29 per hour for treasurer, $32.03 per hour for the chief of police. The borough solicitor will receive $165 and other borough employees received increases, according to Kathleen Raines, borough council vice president.

Council held the Alburtis Police pension plan contributions at 4 percent.

“Every year we’ve been reducing [contributions] from five to four... as a practical matter we’ve been operating on a 4 percent number for at least 17 years,” David Knerr, borough solicitor, said.