Emmaus Borough Council passed their 2013 budget at a special meeting 8:30 a.m. Dec. 24, 2012.

The budget will increase the 2013 tax rate to 4.325 mills. Councilman Brian Holtzhafer said this will amount to an increase of $20 for the average household in the borough.

The budget passed 4-3 with Lee Ann Gilbert, Jeff Shubzda, Brian Holtzhafer and Mike Waddell voting for it and Nathan Brown, Brent Labenberg and Wesley Barrett in opposition..

Council originally proposed a budget with no tax increase but decided to re-advertise the amended budget with additional funding allocated to continue paying firefighters for overnight service.

Borough Solicitor Jeffery Dimmich said he is working on a proposal to make sure the borough can continue their practice of paying volunteer firefighters for overnight service in a legal way.