Altoona council adopts 2026 budget, joins municipal health-insurance cooperative; halfway‑house licensing introduced

The Altoona City Council on Dec. 1 adopted the city's 2026 budget and approved an intergovernmental agreement to join the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative, both by unanimous votes. Council also introduced a new local licensing ordinance for halfway and recovery facilities.

Council voted 7'to'00 to adopt the 2026 budget ordinance, which appropriates funds for municipal operations in 2026. City Manager Chris had told the council earlier that the budget holds the line on spending "with no tax increase." The council also voted 7'to'00 to adopt an ordinance authorizing the city to enter the PMHIC intergovernmental agreement so the city can participate as a member; Vice Mayor Ellis moved adoption and the mayor seconded.

The council introduced (first reading) a new ordinance that would add Chapter 571 to the city code to create a licensing, inspection and application program for halfway recovery houses, rooming/boarding houses and institutionalized housing. Vice Mayor Ellis introduced the measure; the ordinance was presented as a means to align local inspections and licensing with state standards and to address life-safety and code compliance concerns discovered in proposed conversions.

The items above were presented as part of the meeting's business and consent package. The consent vote, which included multiple audits, contracts and personnel items listed on the agenda, also passed unanimously.

What happens next: The halfway/recovery licensing ordinance was introduced (first reading) and will return for further consideration as required by the city's ordinance process. Budget and PMHIC adoption are effective as enacted by the council vote.