Public Works outlines 2026 budget, flags solid-waste cost and Canal Street Bridge work; resident urges better sidewalk snow removal
November 05, 2025 | Allentown City, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
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Public Works staff presented an overview of the department's proposed 2026 budget, emphasizing employee investment, maintaining essential services and advancing capital projects.
"Before going into the details, I just wanna take a moment to recognize the people who make everything we do possible. That's the 189 employees that we have within the public works department," Public Works staff said. The director said the general fund operating budget shows a 4% increase and that combined with enterprise funds the total increase is about 8%, with the solid waste fund rising about 16% and cited a full year under a new trash and recycling contract.
On the solid-waste fee, the transcript records the director saying an increase "from $6.00 5 to $7.40"; the meeting record did not clarify the precise prior figure. Staff said the increase was necessary to maintain a positive fund balance and ensure reliable service.
The presentation highlighted several capital priorities. Staff identified reconstruction of the Canal Street Bridge to restore full access to Canal Park and said funding would support the city's Vision Zero commitment to reduce serious crashes and traffic fatalities by 2030. The department is also conducting a facility assessment of 43 city-owned properties; staff said some roofs have active leaks and that HVAC upgrades and a structurally damaged salt shed will need attention.
Council members and members of the public praised public works crews for snow and emergency response. During public comment, resident Lou Shupe described a near-miss with a plow truck where uncleared sidewalks forced him into the street and asked the city to consider dedicated snow blowers for sidewalks. "Consider the idea of obtaining and or using dedicated snow blowers to clear those sidewalks ... so that nobody else gets hit by a plow truck," Shupe said.
Public Works staff responded that the specific stretch Shupe mentioned appears to be owned by the housing authority and that the department would "certainly try to coordinate our cleanup efforts with that." The meeting record does not show a formal directive or budget action tied to the public comment.
The presentation closed with staff saying they would continue to pursue grants and outside funding to stretch city dollars and asked for council questions and feedback. No formal vote on the operating budget was recorded in the transcript provided.
"Before going into the details, I just wanna take a moment to recognize the people who make everything we do possible. That's the 189 employees that we have within the public works department," Public Works staff said. The director said the general fund operating budget shows a 4% increase and that combined with enterprise funds the total increase is about 8%, with the solid waste fund rising about 16% and cited a full year under a new trash and recycling contract.
On the solid-waste fee, the transcript records the director saying an increase "from $6.00 5 to $7.40"; the meeting record did not clarify the precise prior figure. Staff said the increase was necessary to maintain a positive fund balance and ensure reliable service.
The presentation highlighted several capital priorities. Staff identified reconstruction of the Canal Street Bridge to restore full access to Canal Park and said funding would support the city's Vision Zero commitment to reduce serious crashes and traffic fatalities by 2030. The department is also conducting a facility assessment of 43 city-owned properties; staff said some roofs have active leaks and that HVAC upgrades and a structurally damaged salt shed will need attention.
Council members and members of the public praised public works crews for snow and emergency response. During public comment, resident Lou Shupe described a near-miss with a plow truck where uncleared sidewalks forced him into the street and asked the city to consider dedicated snow blowers for sidewalks. "Consider the idea of obtaining and or using dedicated snow blowers to clear those sidewalks ... so that nobody else gets hit by a plow truck," Shupe said.
Public Works staff responded that the specific stretch Shupe mentioned appears to be owned by the housing authority and that the department would "certainly try to coordinate our cleanup efforts with that." The meeting record does not show a formal directive or budget action tied to the public comment.
The presentation closed with staff saying they would continue to pursue grants and outside funding to stretch city dollars and asked for council questions and feedback. No formal vote on the operating budget was recorded in the transcript provided.
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