Schuylkill Haven residents will see a slight increase in electricity and sewer rates in 2025, but no tax increase, according to the preliminary budget adopted Wednesday by the borough council.

A 5% electric rate hike is expected to take effect in January due to widespread increases in electric capacity rates statewide, officials said.

Borough Administrator Jessica Seiders said some rates aren’t expected to take effect until June, but the borough is starting the hike in January to soften the blow when rates climb in June.

Likewise, sewerage rates will increase by $3 per month, the latest in a series of increases to account for the current garbage contract. As with electricity, the district acted in this way to soften the blow and avoid a sudden increase in rates.

The rate hikes were part of a preliminary budget in which no taxes will change in 2025.

Along the same lines, the council approved the 2025 contract with Nextera Energy, the borough’s electricity supplier. Seiders says the deal allows for lower rates in the short term.

Council approved a new grant application to replace a water main along North Berne Street. A similar request was refused last year. The district is asking for a slightly lower amount to help pay for the replacement. A number of water main breaks in recent years have made this grant necessary.

The Council will consider a request from a member of a seniors group to post a notice prohibiting parking at the Schuylkill Haven Center during meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The Council said it would consider the request.

Seiders says the borough was approached by a company that processes cryptocurrency and is looking to install processing modules in the borough. Nothing has been approved, but borough officials said they will study whether or not they will be able to provide electricity to the units.

The borough received a small grant to consider active transportation planning, in conjunction with an initiative to assess walkability around the borough to ensure it meets specifications.

The district received a state Comprehensive Recreation and Open Space Plan grant to hire a consultant to develop an open space plan and prioritize recreation projects, e.g. playgrounds .

An East Union Street resident made public comments complaining about Amazon drivers driving the wrong way on the one-way road. The Council is looking into better signage to alleviate the problem.

The district’s tree lighting will take place on December 1st with a rain/snow date of December 2nd.