The vacancy committee for Slatington selected the borough’s next tax collector on Monday night. The committee chose Jon Rinker.

Borough manager Dan Stevens explained that because the borough council did not fill the seat within 30 days of it being declared vacant, the responsibility to select a person shifted to the vacancy committee.

A lifelong resident of Slatington, Rinker was a Slatington borough council member for six years and is a current member of the Slatington Parks and Recreation committee for the past 10 years. He is also a life member of Hose Co. No. 1 and Vigilant No. 2, and has been an active firefighter for 25 years. And he is a current member of the Fireman’s Statue Committee.

In addition to having to be a resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a candidate has to be able to pass a background check and be able to be bonded. He will have to pass a tax certification course within 60 days of being appointed.

In a letter to the borough council, Rinker laid out his qualifications for the position. Resident, check.

“I have had background checks in the past, and I have been bonded with no problems,” Rinker stated in the letter.

Stevens said in a prior interview announcing the vacancy that the position would be good for someone who is retired. Rinker checks that box, too.

“I have an office inside my front door on my house,” he said. “My wife, Deborah Rinker, is also retired. She was an employee of KeyBank and is familiar with the deposit process that is a major part of the position. Deborah is willing to be my deputy/backup.”

Rinker thanked the council for considering him and said, “We hope to be even more of an asset to our community.”

Stevens said Rinker’s appointment is contingent that he meets all of the requirements within 60 days of the appointment.

The tax collector position became open after Gwyneth Jones, who had served as tax collector after being appointed to it and was then elected to it in November, chose to decline the position.

The position pays about $15,000 a year, Stevens said.