BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 12/30/24 The Special Meeting of Council was held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 7:00 PM, at the Council Room, 125 So. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. President: David Schnaars Recording Secretary: Zachari Halkias The meeting was called to order by President Schnaars at 7:00 PM following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars Roy Hambrecht Jeralyn Schoch Krystall Borman, Kevin Borman Ronald Kratz-via phone Bric King, Ashley King Ryan Mayberry Jeffrey Hausman, Crystal Hausman Kevin Steckel Andreas Hassold Aaron Schoch Willliam Schippers Zachari Halkias NOTIFICATION: President Schnaars announced that all public sessions of Borough Council are electronically recorded and such recordings are maintained as part of the meeting record until the minutes are transcribed and approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda and Non-Agenda items) You will have three minutes to address Council from the podium. The three minutes applies to your time at the podium. Ifyou exit the podium, you have yielded the floor, and any time you have remaining. Andreas Hassold - 1067 Pine Tree Drive Signed in and was recognized to speak. Andreas Hassold asked if there was going to be clarity regarding the tax hike of 1 mill, what those funds are going to be used, the requirements, and if other options have been explored to not go that high. Also, with rate increase such as this does this include to fix the roads in Maple Springs Acres. President Schnaars informed Andreas that costs go up every year. However, the income, without a tax increase, remains the same, SO it makes us unable even to do what we had done prior years. President Schnaars clarified no monies is specifically for Maple Springs Acres, but is one of the considerations. This tax increase is a general increase of the budget. Councilor Mayberry added that the cost of electricity, wages, health insurance, etc., have gone up. Councilor Mayberry stated that we did triple the amount in liquid fuels which is for road repairs. One option was not to raise taxes and you just have a deficient that gets eaten by your general fund. Mayor Schoch added that the Highway Crew has researched the roads that are in need of major repair and they will get a few oft the roads repaired every year. Jeffrey Hausman - Welshtown Road Signed in and was recognized to speak. Jeffrey Hausman asked the Council if there was any extra money in hiring i.e., code enforcement officer and public works, President Schnaars stated there is budget preparation for that. Jeffrey asked, specifically for Attorney Young, as a citizen, would he have the right to appeal process with the Borough regarding the fire department determination not to be accepted into that department. President Schnaars informed Jeffrey that it is the fire department matter and that it is in their hands. President Schnaars carried the Carter family in our prayers. Former President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100. I 1 6. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to adopt Ordinance 719, an ordinance fixing the tax rate for real-estate taxj for the fiscal year 2025, fixing the per capita tax at $5.00, and reenacting the 1% wage tax, the Borough ofSlatington local service tax at $52.00, 1% realty transfer tax under the local enabling act, and. setting the fire fund tax rate. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Aaron Schoch Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers 7. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to adopt the 2025 budget. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars William Schippers Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None 9. INFORMATION ITEMS: None 10. NEW BUSINESS: None 11. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only You will have two (2) minutes to address Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) None 12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None 13. MOTION TO ADJOURN Being no further business, Councilor Schoch, made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 7:14 PM. Roy Hambrecht Borough Manager 2