For the first time in a long time, Jim Thorpe Borough is giving its tax collector a raise.

Terry McElmoyle told council at its workshop last week that he hadn't received a raise in almost 20 years.The governing body unanimously rewarded him Thursday night by approving a resolution that set his pay at 2.1 percent of what he collects.While the rate is still less than many of the surrounding communities, council said it felt McElmoyle deserved an increase.Previously, McElmoyle took in 1.3 percent of what he collected."Nesquehoning, Lansford and Summit Hill went from 4 down to 3 percent," McElmoyle said last week, "and Lehighton is at 2.75 percent.""While I get around $12,800, those others are at around $40,000."Tax collectors also get compensation from the school districts and counties where they collect payment.Municipalities have until Feb. 15 to set the rates for the next four years.The rate will go into effect next year.