Summit Hill Borough Council has given final approval to its 2020 operating budget which raises taxes 1.4 mills for general purposes.

The budget is based on income and expenses being $1,378,025.

The new budget is based on 18.5 total mills.

Passage of the budget was by a 6-1 vote, with council member Karen Ruzicka opposed.

She said she feels there could be other means of generating revenue than increasing taxes.

Also opposed was borough resident Joseph Kosalko, who told the council, “I hope starting the new year that you people can control the spending a little better.”

Council President Michael Kokinda said the borough is watching its spending. He told Kosalko, “I disagree. Our problem is not spending. Our problem is income.”

Wargo said Kosalko attended the council’s budget workshops and asked why he didn’t give suggestions at that time.

Kosalko said he did.

Councilwoman Debra Ranck said she and council went through the budget “line by line.”

In other business

• The council received a letter of resignation from its solicitor, attorney Michael Greek. Greek served the borough for about 10 years but said in a letter to the council that he has to resign effective Dec. 31 because he was elected Carbon County’s new district attorney.

Kokinda said letters were received from three attorneys interested in the solicitor position.

He said the letters will be reviewed and a decision on a new solicitor will be made when the council reorganizes on Jan. 6.

• The council approved a nonunion contract with Secretary-Treasurer Kira Steber that’s effective from Jan. 20, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2023.

The contract provides for wage hikes in the four years of 3 percent, 2.5 percent, 3 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.

Steber has been the secretary-treasurer for about 15 years in the borough.

• Derek Koch was hired as a part-time police officer.

• Councilman David Wargo said he wanted it placed in the minutes that the borough’s zoning officer should submit a planning and zoning report for next month’s meeting.

• This was the final meeting for Councilwoman Sara Ruch. The council thanked her for serving.

• It was agreed to continue holding the monthly meetings in 2020 on the fourth Monday of each month except for May and December, when the meetings will be on the third Monday because of a holiday.