ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown City Council voted Wednesday to adopt an ordinance to amend the 2025 fire department budget to allow for a $388,000 federal grant.
The grant, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be used to purchase and install automatic sprinkler systems in each of the four fire stations.
The current systems are at least 39 years old.
Also approved was a similar ordinance to also amend the 2025 fire department budget to provide for $76,000 from the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant.
The funds will be used to purchase and install fire alarm systems at the four fire stations.
Another ordinance approved was to amend the 2025 capital fund budget for a supplemental appropriation of $1,105,491 from UGI under the city’s utility paving program.
The city negotiated and collaborated with UGI through the cost share program the milling and paving of streets and for the construction of Americans with Disabilities Act handicap ramps.
Funds to help unsheltered residents
In another matter, council heard a request from the co-chair of the Allentown Commission on Homelessness to add a line item in the 2026 budget to allocate $100,000 to help unsheltered residents.
Council did not discuss the request, but does plan on addressing the proposed budget with budget amendments at a special meeting later this month on Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Council plans on adopting a final budget at its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 3.