Palmerton Borough Council discussed its proposed budget Thursday night.

Danielson said that everything is balancing, but two items will have to be increased.The first of these items is for debt reduction, which needs to be replenished.Danielson said the taxes would have to go up 1.25 mills.The other increase is for the solid waste fund. Danielson said the compactor needs to be repaired, which is going to cost somewhere between $50,000 to $70,000. The increase for this fund would amount to about $2 per month. All funds raised from the increase would go directly toward these funds.“The typical homeowner would see a $6 to $7 per month increase,” Danielson said. “That’s just to keep us financially sound.”Councilwoman Holly Hausman Sell asked when was the last time the millage was increased.Danielson said it’s been about five years, but it was reduced by a mill about three years ago. The current rate is 8.27 mills and it would be increased to 9.52 mills.The council members agreed to tentatively adopt the proposed budget and will vote on accepting it or not in November.Borough council also discussed whether or not to renew their contract for electricity with Constellation Energy.The cost per kilowatt of electricity is actually decreasing, so instead of paying 7.4 cents per kilowatt, the borough would now pay about 6.38 cents per kilowatt. Danielson said the borough usually uses about 3 million kilowatts of energy per year at a cost of about $200,000 a year.With the lower price, the borough stands to save more than $30,000 in one year.Danielson said the kilowatt prices change every day, so the price quoted is only good for 24 hours.He thought the quote was a low price and recommended to council to lock it in. The council voted and approved a four-year contract to lock in the rate.“We’ve been purchasing electricity through Constellation Energy, and I think we’re fairly comfortable with them,” Danielson said.Palmerton participates in the Pennsylvania League of Cities to purchase electricity, so all bidding requirements have been met, he said.The borough has had some luck in filling a couple of personnel spots.Councilman Michael Ballard said two men have stepped forward with an interest in working as leaf collectors. The council approved hiring them, and leaf collection will begin Oct 19.Danielson said collection runs on rotations through mid-December.Mayor Christopher Olivia said he received one application for the part-time police officer position.The borough also needs to fill a full-time position created after Officer John Rupell retired in September.In closing his report, the mayor said trick-or-treating will run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28.