Nesquehoning residents should expect to see an increase in their 2024 taxes.

During a special meeting on Wednesday, council voted to adopt the tentative budget with a 1.25-mill increase, bringing the new millage rate to 20.8.

That means that a $100,000 home assessed at $50,000 should pay around $63 more in real estate taxes than in 2023.

The millage breakdown for the budget shifted slightly after council added street lighting as a millage line. The new millage breakdown is 17.5 for general fund, 0.35 for parks and recreation; 0.85 for fire protection; and 1.1 for street lighting.

Currently, a mill stands at approximately $62,900.

Council discussed several reasons for the necessary tax increase, including the anticipated increase in sanitation costs in September, an increase to code enforcement in the budget and other line items that increased over the last year.

Lacey Gonzalez, who was contracted as the temporary borough treasurer to form the budget, said that the 1.25-mill increase will leave the budget slightly short, which will then come from the borough’s surplus.

She broke down several areas that council members had questions on, including making sure a $25,000 line item for blight was in the budget, the cost for code enforcement and health insurances.

The biggest discussion centered around next year’s sanitation contract, which is set to expire. Council already has shifted some of the cost for the anticipated increase to the 2024 garbage bills as a way to offset a larger increase in 2025.

Based on other municipalities, Nesquehoning is expecting to see the trash cost double when it goes out for bid.

Councilwoman Abbie Guardiani pointed out that other municipalities are seeing bids of basically $1 million a year.

“You know another increase is coming next year,” Gonzalez said as council discussed the future of the sanitation costs.

Council then voted, with Councilman Lou Paul absent, to adopt the proposed 2024 budget with the millage increase, stating that the income is proposed to be $1,564,787.50; while the expenses are expected to be $1,659,925.

The budget will now be available for inspection at the borough office until Dec. 20.

Council will make the formal adoption at its Dec. 20 meeting.