MONTGOMERY – Borough Council is proposing a $541,825 budget for 2020 that holds the line on real estate taxes.

The real estate millage will remain at 6.298.

The budget calls for setting aside in reserve $20,000 from natural gas impact fee money.

The spending plan includes an additional $5,000 allocation for the borough fire department and $18,000 for solicitor services, an amount some council members felt was too much.

Much of next year’s expenditures amount to $208,000 for borough police costs.

The borough department will likely not be covering Brady Township in 2020, according to officials. The agreement between the two municipalities ends this year.

However, possible consolidation with other nearby municipalities is being considered.

Council members said if an agreement is reached with another community for police coverage, the budget could be reopened next year to include those costs.

In other matters, Councilwoman Susan Andrews she’d like to approach Clinton Township about consolidating with the borough on fire protection.

Both departments, she noted, are struggling with manpower.

“It’s time we move forward with that,” she said.

Council met in executive session following the meeting to consider personnel matters.