Lehigh County commissioners have passed the 2018 county budget with a 9-0 vote.

In a very short meeting with very little discussion on Oct. 30, lawmakers set the spending priorities for next year.

After the quick vote, they engaged in a general round of congratulatory exchanges and shared smiles.

The general mood of the lawmakers was epitomized by a comment made by Commissioner Percy Dougherty.

“Any budget without a tax increase is a good budget,” he said.

The budget includes a stabilization fund with a projected beginning balance of $22,955,000 and an ending fund balance of $19,780,000.

The budget is effective 10 days after passage.