Walnutport has agreed to pay its full-time police officers for unused time.

On a 6-0 vote, borough council on Thursday agreed to pay out police $7,348 for unused vacation and personal days from 2022.

However, council tabled paying the officers for their holiday days until next month’s meeting.

Last month, council adopted this year’s budget with no tax increase, which leaves the millage rate at 19.25 mills.

In November, 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.

At council’s October meeting, Wentz said that in 2021 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.

Also at November’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 the 2022 or 2023 budget, as it depends on when it’s invoiced.