The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from November 4, 2026

Mayor Daria Devlin then introduced the 2027 preliminary budget. Including pension funds, the city budget sits at $114,184,522, an increase of less than one percent from 2026. Devlin discussed the challenges of remediating the $15 million budget deficit. “You’re going to see in this year’s budget a full 1 mill tax increase. That’s a 7 percent tax increase,” she said. “None of us believe that this is sustainable and none of us want to put this on the backs of our taxpayers, but to fill a $15 million hole, that’s the place we have to begin.”

The City Council meeting began on Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah presented the Jason Belton Community Policing Award to Officer Anthony Attalla. Attalla coaches the Erie Police Athletic League (PAL) Boxing Program, which recently celebrated its second anniversary. “This program is about much more than boxing. It’s about building relationships, teaching discipline, developing confidence, and giving young people positive opportunities and positive role models,” Lorah said. Attalla accepted his award and honored Belton, with whom he worked before Belton’s death in 2021. “Beyond building athletes, our goal is that if nothing else, our kids become well-respected men and women in the Erie community. The same community Jason served and dedicated his career to,” Attalla said. 

Mayor Daria Devlin then introduced the 2027 preliminary budget. Including pension funds, the city budget sits at $114,184,522, an increase of less than one percent from 2026. Devlin discussed the challenges of remediating the $15 million budget deficit. “You’re going to see in this year’s budget a full 1 mill tax increase. That’s a 7 percent tax increase,” she said. “None of us believe that this is sustainable and none of us want to put this on the backs of our taxpayers, but to fill a $15 million hole, that’s the place we have to begin.” According to Devlin, the remaining $12.2 million would be covered by a $6.5 million fund balance transfer, revenue increases, position cuts, cross-departmental savings, a higher amusement tax. “I would argue that none of it is particularly satisfying or palatable, but it is necessary given the state we found ourselves in this year,” Devlin said. 

Devlin spoke to council about the need to stabilize the city’s financial future without regular property tax increases, including working with the newly elected state legislators. “If we could double our local service tax from $50 to $100 a year, it would give us another $2.3 million in revenue. That would be significant for the budget in future years,” she said. 

Following the mayor’s budget proposal, City Council moved into a public hearing to consider testimony concerning the Inter Municipal Transfer of a liquor license from Dan King Enterprises, Inc. in Greene Township to Mikhar LLC. to be utilized at Oakwood Pizzeria located at 861 East 38th St. 

After the hearing, no constituents spoke during public comment and the council moved to address the following ordinances: 

An ordinance appropriating $500,000 from the Multimodal Transportation Fund to provide for the construction phase of the State Street multimodal improvements passed unanimously. 
An ordinance appropriating $50,000 for the Police Drug and Vice Program passed unanimously. 
An ordinance appropriating $100,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, made available through the Main Street Matters Program, passed unanimously. This funding will be used to promote and encourage the development of business, industry, and commerce. 
An ordinance appropriating $6,350 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission from the FFY2024 Certified Local Government Grant passed unanimously. 
An ordinance appropriating $2,000 for a donation from Patricia Jackson for the Bureau of Fire had its first reading. 
An ordinance appropriating $100,000 for the development of a new comprehensive plan for the City of Erie through funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Grant had its first reading.
An ordinance appropriating $1,651,977 from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to provide for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program City of Erie Safe Routes to Parks and Schools Project had its first reading. The funding will be used to add sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, and signs throughout the city. 
An ordinance appropriating $145,805 from insurance claims associated with the September 2-3, 2026 State of Emergency had its first reading.