Lehighton plans to hold several more budget meetings to fine tune next year’s spending plan.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire reviewed the budget with borough council, at which time he noted he shaved quite a bit of expenses off from the original 2026 budget.

However, Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she believes there are still ways to look to cut spending and cut the budget somewhat.

Councilman Steve Hawk said that the trend over the years has been to keep tax increases as small as possible.

DeWire said that if a grant does not come through for a new firetruck, then the borough would have to look at a loan for $1.1 million or $1.2 million, which could result in a 1-mill increase.

Even if the borough receives a $1 million loan for the LSA statewide program, council discussed a 1-mill tax increase to pay for the difference, as the truck was quoted at $1.04 million, and the grant application capped at $1 million even.

Another option under consideration is to transfer $1.6 million from the borough’s Light & Power Department to the general fund.

As of now, next year’s spending plan shows no budget deficit.

Mayor Ryan Saunders said he believes it would be a tall ask of council to advertise the 2026 budget with the changes before them, and that additional meetings should be held.

DeWire said he believes they have discussed everything in the budget.

“This is the third year in a row (of) getting the same questions,” DeWire said. “I’m confident it’s (the budget) cleaner than it’s been.”

Ultimately, Hawk sided with Abelovsky and said that if wants to look over the budget a little more, he too would look it over.

“Maybe we can get it cleaned up a little more,” Hawk said.

Council then agreed to hold special budget meetings at 6 p.m. Tuesday and 6 p.m. Dec. 22.

Last December, council on a 4-2 vote, with one abstention, adopted this year’s budget with a 1-mill increase.

A vote to increase the millage rate from 10 mills to 11 mills passed on the same 4-2 margin, with an abstention.

Also as part of that motion, council agreed to transfer $1.5 million from the borough’s Light & Power Department.

In addition, DeWire was asked to meet with department heads to make further modifications.