Scranton council adopts 2026 property tax millage and passes several ordinances

The Scranton City Council adopted the resolution levying the 2026 property tax millage after the Committee on Finance recommended final passage and a roll call showed the measure carried by a majority of council members.

Councilmembers King, Shuster, Rothschild, McAndrew and Smearle voted in favor during the roll call on the millage resolution, and the chair declared the item legally and lawfully adopted. The action follows the committee recommendation and advances the city's revenue plan for 2026.

Alongside the millage, council approved an ordinance amending parking rules to regulate detached cement trailers on public streets (article 12, chapter 4 39). The Committee on Public Safety recommended final passage and the measure passed by roll call with the same affirmative votes recorded for the millage resolution.

Council also approved administrative amendments to the Architectural and Urban Design Review Commission code (chapter 18, article 7) intended to improve implementation, following a rules committee recommendation and a roll call vote in favor.

A contested capital budget amendment to add a line‑item for a down payment on property at 334–336 North Washington Avenue prompted more debate. Opponents warned the purchase would remove a commercial parcel from the tax rolls and could trigger future renovation costs (one council member cited an estimated $3,000,000 renovation figure). After discussion about rising operating costs and an unsettled DPW contract, the roll call produced a split vote: King and Rothschild voted yes; Shuster and McAndrew voted no; Smearle voted yes. The chair declared the capital budget amendment adopted.

The council concluded the agenda by adopting additional appointments and reappointments across boards and authorities (see separate article for details). The meeting adjourned after no further business was raised.