For the first time in a quarter-century, borough taxes in Jamestown are on the way up.

"I don't like to see taxes raised," said Councilman Doug McElhaney, "But we have no choice at all."

According to council's proposed spending plan for 2004, taxes will rise from 10.667 mills to 15.667 mills -- a 46 percent increase.

The last time borough taxes were raised was in 1978, McElhaney said.

Rising costs in almost every area of the budget were the main cause of the tax increase, he said. Some of these costs include health care rates and supplies.

A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of a home's assessed value; assessments in Mercer County are the 1970 value.