ALLENTOWN, Pa. \u2014 Mayor Matt Tuerk\u2019s proposed 2026 budget, which calls for a property tax increase of almost 4%, has caused little fanfare so far among city lawmakers \u2014 in stark contrast to the last time he asked them to raise taxes.<\/p>\n
Four Allentown City Council committees have reviewed much of Tuerk\u2019s budget since he introduced it this month<\/a>, but members have shown little desire to make wholesale changes.<\/p>\n City officials from the human resources and parks and recreation departments presented their 2026 budget requests Wednesday night. <\/p>\n \u201cWe kind of squeezed everywhere we could.”<\/p>\n Gerry Anthony, Allentown’s chief information officer<\/p>\n Each said they worked to present a budget without unnecessary expenses.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve delivered a lean budget this year,\u201d John Ferry, Allentown\u2019s risk and safety manager, told council members of his department\u2019s 2026 budget.<\/p>\n \u201cWe kind of squeezed everywhere we could,\u201d Chief Information Officer Gerry Anthony said Wednesday night.<\/p>\n Council members asked several questions on specific programs and line items, but appeared to generally accept the proposed figures in front of them<\/a>.<\/p>\n Plan likely has council’s support<\/p>\n Allentown is projected to generate just over $150 million in general-fund revenues \u2014 through taxes, fees, fines and grants.<\/p>\n It will spend $111 million on personnel costs; $17.1 million for utilities, maintenance and other services; and $7.1 million for materials and supplies.<\/p>\n More than $13 million is listed in the 2026 budget<\/a> as \u201csundry,\u201d a catch-all category for miscellaneous city expenses.<\/p>\n Tuerk has requested property tax increases in two of the four budgets he has presented as Allentown mayor. <\/p>\n