At its Sept. 21 meeting, Northampton County Council introduced multiple ordinances, with Lori Vargo-Heffner presiding over the meeting in the absence of the president and vice president.

One ordinance proposed is a real estate tax credit for certain active volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. According to the ordinance, to be considered an active volunteer, a person must be in good standing with the organization for at least six months, spanning Jan. 1 and Nov. 31, and be either an officer or participant in at least three emergency calls per annum.

The tax credit will be the amount paid by the volunteer, not to exceed $250 a year.

If approved, the ordinance would be applicable for the 2024 tax year for service provided between Jan. 1 and Nov. 31.

Another ordinance looked to seek bidders to design and upgrade the council chambers’ audio and visual capabilities. The county aims to create a modern meeting space, including improved reliability and ease of use, hybrid meeting capabilities and integration with the existing streaming and broadcasting system, according to the ordinance.

Discussion and possible votes on both ordinances will be held at council’s next meeting.

In other business, council approved a motion creating one full-time farmland preservation technician, effective Sept. 22.