A look at next year’s spending plan has led to more questions than answers in Lehighton.

Ultimately, borough council opted to table the advertising of the 2025 proposed budget until next month.

Before the vote last week, borough Manager Dane DeWire reviewed the proposed revenues and expenses with council.

As DeWire listed the proposed expenses, council President Grant Hunsicker interjected.

“I don’t think we should raise taxes at all,” Hunsicker said.

DeWire then continued to go over the rest of the proposed expenses.

Resident and former Councilman Scott Rehrig questioned DeWire if the borough’s finance committee met with department heads and himself.

DeWire responded that neither did last year.

At that, Councilman John Kreitz said he’d like to have the matter tabled, as this was the first chance to see the budget.

“Why didn’t I have access last month?” Kreitz asked.

Kreitz then asked to have the possible advertising of the budget tabled until next month.

Borough Mayor Ryan Saunders concurred, and said he would like the courtesy of sitting down with police Chief Troy Abelovsky to review the budget.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she, too, would like to see the matter tabled.

It was then asked for a special meeting to be held in December for the budget only.

Hunsicker suggested to DeWire that he go back over the budget so that there’s no tax increase.

DeWire told Hunsicker the budget currently does not include a tax increase, but includes a deficit.

“I simply just mirrored what I did last year,” DeWire said.

In February, borough council adopted this year’s budget with no tax increase.

That kept the millage rate intact at 10 mills.

Council’s decision came after it reworked the spending plan in January and agreed to advertise this year’s spending plan with the modification of a $1.5 million transfer from the borough’s Light & Power Department to the general fund.

Council did so through the transfer of $1.5 million from Light & Power Department to general fund; put $40,000 toward a Public Works line item; set aside enough money for the recruitment of two employees for the Light & Power Department; and whatever money was leftover be dispersed to those departments in need.

This year’s budget calls for the garbage rate to double, as well as a 5% increase in the sewer rate.

Earlier in January, council agreed to reopen this year’s budget.

That came after three newly-seated council members won seats in last November’s General Election.