Walnutport residents will not see an increase in their property tax rates next year.

On a 5-0 vote Thursday, borough council adopted the 2023 budget with no tax increase, which leaves the millage rate at 19.25 mills.

Councilwoman Jen Wentz said next year’s spending plan is a balanced budget.

“With the rollover, we’re at zero,” Wentz said. “And that is where we like to be.”

Wentz heaped praise on those in charge of their departments.

“The department heads do a good job,” she said. “Thank you everybody for all the work.”

Council President William Turk and Councilwoman Iris Blum were absent.

Last month, council on a 6-1 vote agreed to advertise the 2023 preliminary budget with a half-mill increase, from 19.25 to 19.75 mills, despite being adamant there would be no actual tax increase.

At that time, Wentz said that since October’s meeting, money was added for anticipated increases in fuel and heating oil, and to increase part-time police officers’ pay by 50 cents an hour.

Wentz said the current deficit of $70,000 would be covered by the rollover.

However, Wentz stressed she didn’t expect a tax increase in 2023.

At council’s October meeting, Wentz said that last year council raised the rate for part-time police officers.

Wentz then raised the possibility of another 50 cent or $1 per hour raise in the 2023 budget.

She said at that time she would ask for a tax increase at this month’s council meeting “because you have to.”

Also at last month’s meeting, council approved bulletproof vests in the amount of $4,674 from Witmer Public.

However, council said at that time it wasn’t certain if it will be from out of this year or next year’s budget, as it depends on when it’s invoiced.