Lehighton’s chief administrative officer has received a new two-year pact that calls for a 4% raise both years of the contract through the end of 2027.

After a near 30-minute executive session, borough council on a 5-1 vote Monday approved the 2026-27 employment contract for borough Manager Dane DeWire. Councilwoman Becky Worthy cast the lone vote in opposition.

DeWire’s new salary will be $105,835 in 2026, and $110,068 in 2027.

Before the vote, DeWire initially said he was seeking a 2-year deal with a 3.5% increase both years, or inflation, whichever is higher.

However, Councilman Steve Hawk told DeWire he would take issue that it’s open-ended, and that he didn’t want to put the borough in that situation.

Afterward, DeWire said his second rebuttal would be a 4% increase in each of the two years.

“I feel I’ve proven my worth here,” DeWire said since he was hired over two years ago.

Hawk agreed with DeWire.

“I think you’re doing a pretty good job,” Hawk said. “I think it’s a good deal.”

Worthy said after the meeting she believes DeWire should have been at 3.5%, not 4%.

“I thought 4 (percent) was a little high,” said Worthy, who added it’s council’s job to be financially and fiscally responsible with its money. “I didn’t think (0.5 percent) was a deal-breaker.”

Councilwoman Dr. Jordyn Miller was absent.

In February 2024, the then- council on a 4-3 vote extended DeWire’s contract through the end of this year by 23 months to the end of this year and agreed to have him swap the borough vehicle he was permitted to take to and from his home for a 4% raise in 2024, and a 3% raise Jan. 1, 2025, for the remainder of the contract.

DeWire was hired in August 2023 on a 4-3 vote by the then-council on a one-year contract at a salary of $95,000.

In June 2023, the-then council on a 5-1 vote after an executive session fired then borough Manager Steve Travers, who was hired on a 5-0 vote in August 2022 on a one-year contract at a salary of $105,000.

The borough gave no reasoning for Travers’ firing. Afterward, day-to-day matters had been handled in the borough office.