Prior to the election, there was serious debate about when council would take up the public part of the process of vetting the boroughs finances and hashing out costs for the new year.

Borough Manager Scott Mitchell when asked about one good and one bad thing about the 2020 budget said, “”The good thing is. We didn’t raise taxes. The bad thing is. We didn’t raise taxes”

Mitchell explained Morrisville is faced with a budget dilemma if cuts or new income streams are not created or found in the very near future.
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“Costs went up, yet income stayed flat,” he said about the last year. There are three options here, he said. Council can raise taxes, cut staffing, or find a way to create new income streams to solve the flattening income issue for the borough.

The new council when it takes over in January can, if they want to reopen the budget, he said otherwise “massive cuts” to staffing will be needed, he said.

Increasing costs like those for the fire fund, with a projected increase of about $20,000 the Police Chiefs annual cost of living increase which is part of his contract, of about $3,300.00, are examples throughout the budget where needed services have increased.

The new council has until February 15 to reopen the 2020 fiscal plan, in order to make changes and or adjustments.

Council passed the budget unanimously 8-0 Monday.