SMETHPORT — Smethport Borough Council on Monday approved the tentative 2018 municipal budget.

The proposed balanced spending plan shows the following expenditures and revenue: general fund: $564,285; water fund: $586,740; electric fund: $1,762,400; and sewer fund: $507,680.

Council is slated to take final action on the budget and set the millage rate in December. There was no mention at this meeting of what next year’s tax rate may be.

In other business, council heard a request for rate increases from Smethport Disposal Services LLC that collects residential garbage. The company cited multiple increases in operating costs, such as a ten percent hike in vehicle insurance, a 15 percent increase in workers’ compensation insurance and an estimated 18 percent increase in fuel prices. They are seeking a $1.00 increase in the monthly rate, which allows four bags per week; a similar increase for the senior citizens’ rate; and  $.15 more for the individual stickers. That would bring the monthly rate to $14, the senior citizens’ rate to $13.75 and stickers to $1.75.

Council took no action on these proposed rate changes at this meeting, opting instead to review the borough’s refuse contract. Should council OK the new fees, they would become effective Jan. 1, 2018, and Smethport Disposal Services will honor all current stickers already in the system, according to Robert Dunn, who attended the meeting. “Hopefully, we can work out something,” Dunn said.

Even if the proposed rates were approved by council, these fees would still be less expensive than those of the three other collection companies providing service to the borough, it was noted.

During the Councilmember Reports of the agenda, Jeff Tanner, who is also a member of the Shade Tree Commission, said that the borough has received the 23 trees of various species that are to be planted throughout the town at a date to be announced.

Council met in an executive session for 28 minutes to discuss personnel matters.