“It stinks!”

That was Summit Hill Borough Council member Joe Weber’s reaction to a 3-mill real estate tax hike for 2026.

He added, “Unfortunately, our hands are tied.”

The borough council, at a special meeting early Monday morning, gave final approval to the 2026 budget with that increase by a 5-1 vote.

The budget is balanced at $1,657,119. It raises the overall tax millage from 21.25 to 24.25 mills.

The new budget calls for 22.75 mills allocated for general purposes, 1.50 mills for street lighting, and a half-mill for fire protection.

In favor of the budget were council President David Wargo, Weber, Marlene Basiago, Alan Kruslicky and Ed Kane. Opposed was Karen Ruzicka. Lacey Gonzalez was absent.

This is Ruzicka’s final meeting as a member of council. In November she was elected mayor and will begin her new duties in January.

Kruslicky agreed with Weber, saying, “I’m not against it (the tax increase). I’m not happy about it.”

The new tax rate amounts to an approximately 12% increase.

“There’s no easy decision here,” Kruslicky said.

Several council members stressed they had no option but to increase taxes due to increased costs.

Kira Steber, secretary/treasurer of the borough, said that 1.5 mills of the increase is just for the increase in insurance costs.

This was the final borough council meeting of 2025. The reorganization meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 5.

Wargo said it has been “a great year” for the borough.

He said the council accomplished numerous goals it had set in the beginning of the year, including installing new Christmas lights, passing a short-term rental ordinance and approving an amusement tax.

In other business, the council said terms are expiring on numerous government bodies. They include:

• One seat on the Planning Commission.

• One seat on the Zoning Hearing Board.

• One seat on the Coaldale-Lansford-Summit Hill Sewer Authority.

• One seat on the Summit Hill Water Authority.

• Three seats on the Appeals Board.

• One seat on the Civil Service Commission.

• Three seats on the Recreation Commission.

Steber said letters of interest for any of the positions should be submitted to the borough office by 4 p.m. on Jan. 2.