HAZLETON — The first reading of the 2026 Hazleton budget was passed with little fanfare at Thursday night’s city council meeting at City Hall.
The first reading of a budget is generally a procedural and formal presentation to council of what is being proposed.
City Administrator Dan Lynch advised there will be more room for debate and dialogue on the contents of the budget at the second reading on Dec. 16 and nothing in the budget has been locked in.
Since it was an election year, council also has the month of January to make any needed changes to the budget if necessary.
Lynch said he is more than happy to speak to anyone about the budget who calls his office and inquires.
“Tonight is just the first reading, but again all this is information that is readily available and I’m more than happy to talk about it, I told council in the past to direct people my way,” he said.
Lynch added that roughly 20% of the budget is concerned with healthcare due to rising costs which he said is a problem everywhere. This proposed increase in cost would be the highest in history at 16.5%.
Council unanimously passed the first reading of the 2026 budget 4-0, with John Nilles absent.
Other news
Council unanimously approved a resolution establishing official names for three streets within the Hazleton Creek Development where a warehouse is being constructed. Those street names are Hazleton Commerce Parkway, Trestle Way and Lamphouse Lane.
Another unanimous approval was the decision to make Harrison Street a one-way street between 9th Street and Diamond Avenue.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.