There will be no tax increases in Montoursville Borough as the council approved their 2020 budget this week. The Recreation committee officials said they believe no more tax dollars are required to update Indian Park.

Montoursville’s tax rate will remain at 4 mills, or $400 per property valued at $100,000.

“We were finally able to close out phase one of the master plan, so they have been working on phase two, which is to upgrade the playground facilities within the park,” said Chris Lucas, council member.

Multiple grants are being looked at to help alleviate the price of the equipment, estimated to cost between $350,000 and $400,000. Many of the grants, however, require the participant to pay a certain amount on their own.

“We do have an endowment that already got us started, but they are going to be needing some funds in the coming year,” said Lucas.

Fundraising events are already being planned, he added.

“Right now we’re estimating approximately a $200,000 match just to get us where we need to be able to purchase the playground, plus the installation,” he said.

In early 2020, the recreation committee will be looking for funds to pay for designs by Larson Design.

The committee also is looking to have borough employees do the installation to reduce costs and have a line-itemed list playground equipment that people can individually donate towards.

In other business, the borough approved James Matthews conditional use application, allowing the construction of a dance studio with a residential second floor at 246 Broad St.

Eric Greenway, council member, said the building is in the flood plain and must be brought up to code.

Additionally, the dance studio plans for student entrance in the alley at the rear of the building. With limited parking, the council said they would look to Police Chief Jeff Gyurina to determine if the alley should be designated one way or a stop sign should be added.

Under new business, the council approved Ezra Newton to refurbish or replace the Indian Park benches as part of his Eagle Scout project.

The next council meeting is slated for 7 p.m. Jan. 6, 2020, at the John Dorin Municipal Building, 617 N. Loyalsock Ave.