Tamaqua Borough Council recently adopted the borough’s 2023 budget, which includes a slight bump in millage.

The 0.25 mill increase is for general purposes and will also allow the borough to add another full-time police officer, borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt said.

The hike amounts to about $13 more per year for the average taxpayer. And with it, the borough can hire a ninth full-time officer who will assist in providing 24-hour coverage.

Broken down, the real estate tax rate of 23.75 includes 22.15 mills for general purposes, 1 mill for the building and equipment fund, 0.25 mill for the Wabash Improvement Fund and 0.10 mill for the Streetlight Fund.

During budget discussions last month, members stressed that they didn’t want to raise taxes - but knew that the department was down by one full-timer.

While the department has been filling its shifts with part-time employees, Chief Michael Hobbs said they’re often difficult to retain.

“There is nothing making them stay here at this department. As soon as they leave, it opens huge gaps in our schedule to cover,” Hobbs said in November. “We are a 24-hour department. We need that manpower. We need to lock somebody in.”

Council initially discussed raising taxes by 0.5 mill but were able to whittle the increase to half that amount.

“It is not an easy decision for any of us but it is a decision we have to make,” council President Brian Connely said.

In an unrelated matter, council made several changes to the way the borough issues handicapped parking permits.

Applications must be accompanied by a complete, updated medical form. Incomplete applications will be denied but if that happens, applicants will be given 30 days to submit a completed form.

A $100 fee will be charged for new applications, and $25 will be charged for annual renewals. If the sign needs to be moved, applications will pay $25.

Handicapped parking signs will be numbered for the sole use of the applicant.