Easton City Council approved the city’s 2026 budget on Wednesday, which includes a rise in parking meter costs.
The city adopted a budget at council’s meeting Wednesday that balances $38,812,880 in revenues and expenses. For the 18th year in a row, the city will not increase property taxes.
Parking revenue is a major component of the budget, with the combined total from meters and parking facilities projected at about $4.45 million.
The city plans to increase hourly rates from $2 to $2.80 for non-prime locations and $2.50 to $3 for prime locations.
These changes are expected to boost parking revenue by 31.4% compared to the 2025 budget.
Though non-prime locations were planned for $2.75, council members discussed increasing the hourly rate by an additional five cents. The extra revenue from the additional five-cent increase was projected to bring in $118,000 to support the city’s comprehensive plan and a city planner position.
“We need a certified planner, and we need a new comp plan,” Councilman Frank Pintabone said, “From what I hear from residents, the majority of the time, they’re concerned with the developments, the current parking requirements for the developments, and it’s time to do a comp plan. It’s been 10 years, so it’s just something we have to do.”
On the expenses side, 65% of Easton’s total budget for 2026 include salaries and wages, covering municipal workers along with police and fire personnel.
Funding for parks, open space, and recreation is also included, with allocations of $125,000 for open space and $1,921,823 for recreation.
Pintabone proposed allocating $100,000 from open space funds to help create an inclusive special-needs playground. The idea was raised during discussions of capital spending priorities, with emphasis on ensuring the project meets accessibility needs.
It would include swings for children with wheelchairs and children with walkers, and sensory boards. It would be included within a current park to avoid segregation.
“I think it’s a great idea. We should be an inclusive society for all children. All children should be able to go to a park and play, whether they’re wheelchair bound or not,” Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said. “My only concern is, I don’t want to spend $100,000 to see nobody use it. It’s my only concern.”
Council members supported the idea, and it moved forward.
Council members also revised funding for Easton’s 250th anniversary celebration. The original allocation of about $90,000 was reduced to $50,000 to cover only essential components such as fireworks and equipment that could be reused for future events.
Money that had been allocated for items like decorations, banners and promotional materials was removed, with $25,000 reallocated to the comprehensive plan and another $25,000 shifted to the city’s contingency fund.