BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The city’s 2026 budget was the focus of much of Tuesday’s Bethlehem City Council meeting.
The meeting began with comments from council President Michael Colon, who asked that most budget-related remarks be reserved for the upcoming budget amendment hearing on Thursday at 6 p.m. in town hall, hoping to avoid a repeat of the eight-hour discussion last month.
In November, the budget hearing focused on the police, fire and emergency services budget, where councilmembers heard concerns about safety and city coverage.
Public comment on Tuesday was peppered with remarks about the city’s firefighters. Bethlehem IAFF Local 735 President Lou Jimenez asked council to add four positions to the budget.
Fire Chief Matthew Griffin previously said the department is staffed to its budgeted complement of 106 firefighters but remains concerned about overtime. The city is pursuing a comprehensive study to analyze call volume, staffing and paramedic responses. Officials said staffing is only one aspect of the study.
City Councilmember Bryan Callahan discussed a budget amendment whereby local nonprofits would pay a yearly fee for emergency services. The fee, he said, would pay for additional staff to provide coverage for the city.
A final budget vote will be held Dec. 16.