A proposed rental inspection ordinance is inching its way closer in Lehighton.

Borough council held a public hearing on the ordinance on Monday.

Council, on a 6-0 vote, agreed to advertise the ordinance for adoption at next month’s meeting.

Before the vote, former borough Manager Steve Travers, who was let go following an executive session later in the evening, informed borough council that items that had been brought up have been changed.

It was agreed at last month’s meeting to amend some of the wording in the ordinance.

In February, Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she would like to see the municipality consider rental property inspections to fight blight.

It was stated at that time there are just under 1,200 rental properties in the borough, and Abelovsky added the inspections would ensure that minimum safety requirements are in place.

Travers said at that time the problem would be the cost to enforce the program if the borough were to use an outside firm, which would drive up costs.

Travers said at that time the borough could have an in-house person do the work, which he said is probably the easiest way to keep the cost down.

Councilman Ryan Saunders said at that time there’s big quality of life issues at the properties that they’re renting, and believes the borough should do it in-house.

Travers said the easiest way to start the program is to keep it simple in the beginning. He thinks if it is done right, the program can pay for itself.