Council approves 2026 general fund after heated debate over firefighter staffing; two members vote no

Bethlehem’s City Council adopted the 2026 general fund budget (Bill 47-2025) after a contentious floor debate about firefighter staffing and overtime funding.

Union and community speakers urged immediate action. Lou Jimenez, president of Local 1035, told council that staffing decisions are a public safety responsibility and not solely a collective bargaining matter; he said the Northwest Fire Station lacks a permanently assigned company officer and urged that an officer be assigned to improve on-scene command and supervision.

Councilman Callahan said he would vote against the general fund package because the budget did not find roughly $331,000 that he argued could have funded four firefighters for the latter half of the year. "I will be voting no on all the budget items tonight concerning our budget," Callahan said on the floor.

Administration and staff described the complexity of overtime funding and hiring cycles. Mayor Reynolds and staff said overtime historically draws on salary lapses from mid-year retirements and that prior years’ overtime totals were substantial (the administration referenced about $1.2 million in overtime in 2024 and a forecast of roughly $1 million in 2025). Officials also said the city had hired 32 firefighters over the last three years and that filling the ranks is an ongoing process tied to academy scheduling and retirements.

During the roll call for Bill 47-2025, votes were recorded as: Miss Kwiatak Aye, Miss Laird Aye, Miss Leon Aye, Miss Wilhelm Aye, Mister Callahan Nay, Miss Kramsey Smith Nay, and Mister Colon Aye. The ordinance passed 5–2.

Council members who voted against the budget said they would consider a targeted tax increase or other revenue options next year to address long-term staffing shortfalls. Supporters of the budget said the administration is pursuing an RFP and staffing plan that will be detailed in coming reports to council.

What’s next: administration and the chief will continue work on the staffing plan and related RFP and will report back to council; some council members signaled they will pursue tax or budget amendments in future sessions if staffing gaps persist.