Scranton council introduces 2026 capital budget, schedules Sept. 23 public hearing

Scranton City Council on Tuesday introduced the proposed City of Scranton fiscal 2026 capital budget and authorized the city clerk to publish a legal notice and list locations where the budget can be inspected. Council also scheduled a public hearing on the plan for 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025.

The introduction was read into the record pursuant to Section 904 of the city’s home rule charter and filed as Council File No. 11 of 2024. The motions to introduce the ordinance, to place the legal notice, and to set the hearing were offered during the council meeting and were carried by voice vote.

The capital budget document includes a capital reserve fund spending plan and line items that council members said merit scrutiny during the public-comment process. Council Member Schuster asked that the administration add explicit language stating that the replacement project for Engine 10 will remain on East Mountain; a city staff member said the request would be accommodated.

Council also moved to place a summary legal notice in the newspaper and to include locations where paper and electronic copies of the capital budget can be viewed by the public.

The introduction starts the formal public-notice period and sends the budget into the committee process; no final appropriation was adopted at the meeting. The public hearing on Sept. 23 will be the opportunity for residents to comment before any final vote.

For more information, the council directed the city clerk to publish the locations where the full capital budget can be inspected prior to the hearing.