ALLENTOWN, PA. – Allentown City Council rejected a proposed tax increase during a budget meeting Wednesday night at city hall.
The legislative body amended Mayor Matthew Tuerk’s proposed 2026 budget, which contained a 4% tax hike. The dismissal was formally manifested through a 5-2 budget amendment vote, with City Council members Candida Affa and Santo Napoli dissenting.
The financial shortfall in the mayor’s $246 million spending plan will be balanced by utilizing the city’s fund balance.
On top of the 4% increase, Tuerk’s budget contains also a $140 trash fee hike.
This proved too much tax increasing for one City Council member.
“In order for a city to thrive, we need to raise taxes gradually,” Councilmember Cynthia Mota said. “…But we also have to know when…I don’t think that this is the time…I would like to see us hold back on the tax increase this year.”
This opinion was not shared by Affa.
“My priority has always been the safety of this city,” she said. “…What do we cut? I don’t want to cut anything. I think we haven’t had a tax raise for quite a while…Our budget is so much more important for our city.”
Santo also reached this conclusion.
“Everything is costing the city more,” Santo said. “The majority of the budget is wages. I mean, we’re talking about our city staff.”
Tuerk said the budget does not add new positions or offer significant project expenditures. However, it will fund projects already in the works, such as the Allentown Police Department headquarters renovation. The mayor declared the amendment as irresponsible budgeting, one which will imperil the Allentown city government. This did not stop him offering a compromise to save his tax hike.
The appeasement involved maintaining the 4% tax hike but reducing the trash fee increase from $140 to $115.
Affa noted the city had not increased taxes “in a while.” The most recent tax increase was during the O’Connell administration in the 2019 spending plan. That hike was 27%.
A final budget vote is set for Dec. 10.