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Bethlehem Council unanimously approves multiple budget adjustments and event permits
Summary
City Council voted 5-0 to adopt grouped amendments to the 2026 sewer, water and general-fund budgets, approved a liquid-fuels adjustment, and authorized a plant festival use permit and an accessibility site survey costing $3,900.
City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to adopt several budget amendments and to authorize permits and contracts that the administration said support ongoing city operations and events.
The council grouped five ordinances amending 2026 sewer, water and general-fund capital and operating budgets and passed them by a 5-0 roll call vote. Council President Ms. Leon moved to group the measures for final passage; the clerk recorded aye votes from Ms. Quigley Tack, Ms. Laird, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Colon and Ms. Leon.
Council also adopted Ordinance 9A, an amendment to the city’s liquid fuels fund for 2026, by the same 5-0 margin. Mayor Mr. Evans and staff had explained that the liquid fuels adjustment reflected PennDOT’s annual allocation reconciliation and internal line-item shifts, including increased snow-and-ice removal costs.
In resolutions, the council authorized a use-permit agreement with The Wicked Botanist for the 2026 Lehigh Valley Spring Wicked Plant Festival, approved a $3,900 contract with the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living to conduct accessibility site assessments of city-owned spaces, and authorized the disposal of certain municipal records in the Department of Community and Economic Development. Each resolution passed 5-0 on roll call.
The council’s action moves the budget adjustments and agreements into effect under the procedures described in the ordinances and resolutions. Council members said the items had been vetted in committee; Ms. Leon noted the five budget items had passed unanimously at first reading in the finance committee.
The clerk declared the meeting’s business concluded after the votes. Council adjourned for the evening and invited attendees to remain for informal conversation.
