Lehighton could be the next area municipality to see its garbage rate double next year.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire reviewed the 2024 spending plan with borough council at a special meeting on Thursday.

DeWire said that based on a proposal it received, the borough’s garbage contract could double next year.

Larry Wittig, president and owner of Tamaqua Transfer, attended the meeting and acknowledged his company’s proposal is substantially higher than it’s been.

“I sincerely wish someone else would have bid,” said Wittig, who added that way council wouldn’t look at the figures and have sticker shock. “I know it’s a lot more than the last (contract) one.”

Wittig said that Tamaqua Transfer, which is the borough’s current hauler, has been consistent with its bidding.

DeWire noted that neighboring Jim Thorpe’s garbage contract doubled.

Last month, Jim Thorpe Borough Council approved a five-year contract with Tamaqua Transfer in the amount of $4.61 million, more than double what it paid for its current deal, which runs out at the end of January.

That will raise the garbage portion of an average residential utility bill in Jim Thorpe from $25 per month to $51.60 per month.

Lehighton Borough Councilman Donnie Rehrig said it’s unfortunate how much the rates have gone up.

“I think the fair way to do it is garbage; everybody generates garbage,” Rehrig said. “Nobody wants to see an increase.”

In November 2020, Lehighton Borough Council awarded a three-year contract to Tamaqua Transfer and Recycling in the amount of $1,435,800 from 2021-2023.

Council is scheduled to review the garbage bid submission(s) when it meets this evening at 7 o’clock.

Several potential scenarios were floated around by council concerning a possible tax hike next year.

Currently at 10 mills, DeWire noted the borough’s millage rate is lower than many other area municipalities.

Contacted Friday afternoon, DeWire said he plans to come up with different options to close any possible gap in the 2024 budget.

“As always with budgets, these options can include, but are not limited to, utility fee increases, a millage increase, budget cuts, and interdepartmental transfers,” DeWire said. “General inflation across the board is the leading driving factor of increasing expenses seen by the borough.”