No municipal tax increases are anticipated for 2013 in Lehighton.

Last night, Lehighton Borough Council unanimously gave tentative approval to its budget for 2013, retaining the real estate tax levy at 6.5 mills.Of the real estate tax, 2.5 mills are allocated to the Lehighton Fire Department: two mills for the building project and .5 mill designated for apparatus.The borough also has a 6-mill occupation tax, a 1 percent real estate transfer tax, a 1 percent earned income tax, and a $10 local service tax.Last week, when the council reviewed the budget, there was concern that there might be a slight tax hike.Nicole Beckett, borough manager, told the council there were adjustments made in the amount of $80,333.68 to avoid such action.Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for the regular monthly meeting of Lehighton Borough Council at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17.The general fund of the budget is balanced at $3,889,205.18.This is an increase of $55,708 over the 2012 general amount of $3,783,496.98.The sewer fund is balanced at $6,562.714.36.This includes a balance of $5,077,452.36 from the 2012 budget.The borough anticipates transferring $15,000 from the sewer revenue account, and $750,000 from the Light & Power Account, both to the general fund, during 2013.