Nesquehoning residents shouldn’t expect to see a hike in their 2022 real estate taxes, but they will see a slight increase in their garbage bill.

On Wednesday, borough council approved a preliminary 2022 spending plan, which calls for the millage to remain 19.3.

That means that a $100,000 home assessed at $50,000 will pay the same in real estate taxes to the borough that it did in 2021.

The council pointed out that 1 mill represents approximately $64,000.

Councilwoman Rosemary Porembo, chair of the budget committee, thanked the board for tightening up their belts on spending. The $1,910,899.04 budget allows for a little cushion in the budget in the event something unexpected happens.

On the sanitation side, council voted to adopt an increase in sanitation bill rates to offset a deficit and allow the borough to begin to grow an account that can be used to help with the next sanitation contract.

Residents should expect to pay $5 more a month for their garbage service in 2022.

The borough will finalize the 2022 spending plan at its December meeting.

In related matters, borough employees will see changes in their health coverage next year, but officials said the changes will provide savings to the borough and employees.

The borough approved moving to an AffordaBlue plan after discussing the options with ETA Benefits. The plan will cost the borough $284,000 for coverage next year, which represents just about 5 mills of the general budget. If the borough would have stayed with the current health insurance provider, it would have cost $395,194 in 2022.

Porembo said because of the change, the borough will see a savings of $111,096.

“That’s quite impressive since we have been going up 18% every year,” Porembo said.

Councilwoman Mary Fox said that the new plan will provide options for employees in tiers and will cost the employees less.

She also pointed out the addition of being able to use a flexible spending plan, which is a pre-tax savings account that employees put money in and can use for copays and other medical costs.

Employees will be receiving a letter regarding an upcoming meeting with ETA to go over the changes to the health plan. The date is set for Nov. 29.