Jim Thorpe nears vote on tax break for fire, EMS volunteers

Jim Thorpe Borough Council is nearing a vote that would give its volunteer firefighters or emergency medical services personnel a partial rebate on property or earned income tax.

During a workshop Thursday night, council announced its solicitor was putting the finishing touches on the ordinance, which will likely go to a public hearing and vote in December.

Volunteers who meet a yet to be established criteria, as far as amount of service calls and/or training hours, can receive $200 off either their property tax or earned income tax bill. The rebate can’t be more than 20 percent of the tax bill.

Thorpe had been discussing the idea for quite some time after the state allowed for the program under Act 172 of 2016.

“This is a thank you to the volunteers,” said Councilman Jay Miller, a firefighter himself. “I think it will end up being a 95 percent retention tool and maybe help attract some new people.”

Volunteers will still have to pay their tax bill, but would then be able to show proof of payment and get the rebate.

Who gives out that rebate was a matter of discussion on Thursday. Council had originally planned for that to be handled at the borough office, but communication from solicitor James Nanovic, who was not at the workshop, indicated he felt the tax collectors themselves may be a better fit.

There is no question, however, where the funding would come from.

“This will come out of the borough’s general fund,” said Kyle Sheckler, who serves on the borough’s emergency services committee. “This will not come out of the fire department budget.”

Miller said the idea has been kicked around at Council of Governments meetings and other municipalities are also considering a rebate.

It isn’t the first time Jim Thorpe has tried to reward its fire and EMS volunteers.

“I suggested years ago that we provide a rebate on the water/sewer/garbage bill, but our solicitor told us if the volunteers get that money then it could impact their rights under the Good Samaritan Law, which protects us if we’re out trying to help someone,” Miller said. “Thankfully, the state has allowed us to move forward with this program.”

The next step will be a vote to advertise the ordinance. That is scheduled to happen at next Thursday’s regular council meeting.