The initial proposal was $1,249,000, but $17,000 was shaved to bring the final budget to $1,232,000.

Among the changes to the spending plan, increases in assessments for municipalities served by the police department were originally based at 5 percent, but they were reduced to 4.5 percent, or $5,090, which brought the total to $1,067,800. Farrell's assessment will be $877,700, while Wheatland's is $91,450 and West Middlesex will be assessed $98,650.

Commission Chairman James DeCapua said part-time wages would hold at $80,000, or $10,000 less than the proposed amount, but it will still be the same as the 2003 figures. Overtime pay would also remain the same at $17,500.

"(Police Chief Riley) Smoot has a real task in front of him administratively," DeCapua said referring to the budget item.

Worker's compensation will be $1,100 less than the proposed amount, Medicare payment will be $228 less, Legal services will be $1,000 less and miscellaneous expenses will be $554 less.