Lehighton residents may not see a tax increase next year after borough council voted 6-0 Monday to advertise the 2024 proposed budget with no millage increase.

Councilman Darryl Arner was absent.

Before the vote, borough Manager Dane DeWire told council that the borough still faced a $388,000 deficit.

DeWire shared five possible scenarios with council, adding that there were all kinds of possibilities.

Council settled on the option with no tax increase, which includes the garbage rate to double from $25 to $50 a month, an increase in the sewer collection up to 5%, and the transfer of $1.15 million from the borough’s Light & Power Department.

Councilman Donnie Rehrig said that in lieu of knowing the borough’s garbage rates doubled, “nobody wants to see an increase at all.”

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said that while no one ever wants to raise taxes, it’s common knowledge that the cost of everything is going up.

Council President Grant Hunsicker added, “I don’t like to raise taxes.”

Councilwoman Lisa Perry said she, too, likes the option that calls for no tax increase.

That would leave the millage rate at 10 mills.

Council plans to adopt the 2024 budget when it meets at 6 p.m. Dec. 21.

The 2023 budget had no tax increase.