Emmaus council approves first reading of 2026 budget, adopts tax levy and rate ordinances

Emmaus Borough Council on Dec. 1 approved the first reading of the borough's proposed 2026 budget, voted to place new millages for library and debt service on residents' tax bills for transparency, and passed ordinances updating sewer and water billing rules.

Shane, the borough manager, told council the proposal includes a 0.2‑mill increase in the general fund — "It's a total of 0.2 mill increase, which is, right around 1.9% in the general fund." He said that increase would amount to roughly $40 a year for a homeowner with a $200,000 assessment. Shane emphasized that other levies are not increasing, saying: "There is no fire tax increase. There's no street lighting tax increase. There's no special roads fund tax increase. There's no sewer rate increase. There is no refuse rate increase." The council also carved out two new millages — a library tax of 0.1794 mills and a debt service tax of 1.5853 mills — which Shane said are intended to increase transparency without raising overall millage.

Why it matters: the package blends a small property‑tax change with higher water fees and new, separated line items on the tax bill so residents can more clearly see what they are paying for libraries and debt service. Shane said the borough aims to balance rising operational costs (insurance, electricity, labor) and planned capital purchases while limiting the direct tax burden.

Key budget details…