EMMAUS, Pa. — Emmaus Borough Council on Monday approved a 2023 budget with no property tax increase, but with increased rates for water and sewer and other fees for the upcoming years.
The budget retains general fund and fire fund tax rates while introducing property taxes for a new street lighting fund of 0.15 mills and a special road fund of 0.32 mills. The borough says the new funds will allow for more money to go to needed road work.
Fees were established for borough-related activities such as permits, ambulance fees, licenses and pool rates.
- Emmaus Borough Council approved the 2023 budget on Monday
- It contains no property tax increases, but has increased rates for water and sewer
- The rates are going up because of the borough's required effort to remove storm water from the sewer system
The increased rates discussed at council's Dec. 5 meeting for water and sewer services also were approved by ordinance in a second reading, and no changes to the proposed budget were implemented.
Water rates are set to increase in part to address the costs involved with removing the contamination of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) pollution in the borough's drinking water system and future upgrades. Water rates for the first 40,000 gallons used will rise from $2.50 to $3.15, with similar increases of less than a dollar for the larger usage brackets.
Also increasing are sewer rates, because of the borough's required effort to remove storm water from the sewer system. The borough also said it is preparing to borrow $4 million to continue improving sewer mains and manholes to reduce water entering the system.
The sewer rates will increase from $2.80 per 1,000 gallons to $3.75 per 1,000 gallons, which the borough estimates to be an increase of $15.20 per quarter, or $60.80 per year for a family of four.
Refuse collection fees in the borough also were set by resolution to $350 per unit if paid before Feb. 15, or $100 quarterly by Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15 and Nov. 15, respectively. There is a 10% penalty for the quarter if made after the due date.
Low-income residents over the age of 62 making no more than $18,000 ($25,000 for a household of two or more) per year can submit an application for a discount of the fee to $200 per unit.
A brief end-of-year report from the office of the mayor reflected on the oath of office being given to an assistant ambulance chief, police chief, part-time patrolman, police sergeant and police officer in the past year.
Also Monday, council approved the collective bargaining agreement presented by the Emmaus Police Officers' Association, which takes into account increases in pension, wage and healthcare costs.
"Throughout the course of the four years that we've been with what we're putting out and what they're contributing, a net expense is about 3 percent," Borough Manager Shane Pepe said about the agreement.
The agreement will be in place from the beginning of 2023 until the end of 2026.
It includes annual salary increases of 4.5% to 4.125% for police officers until 2026.
At the start of Monday's meeting, police officer Timothy Kline was sworn in.
In November, council published an end-of-year message highlighting accomplishments in the borough over the past year, saying it has been a busy year for Emmaus with construction projects alongside arts and culture events returning thanks to volunteers.
