Council holds second reading of 2026 capital-improvement plan as pay-adjustment and appropriations ordinances are introduced

The Brooklyn City Council held a second reading of the 2026 capital improvement plan and introduced related pay and appropriations measures during its regular meeting.

Council leaders presented Ordinance 2025-23 on second reading, describing the capital improvement plan for 2026 and declaring an emergency; no final vote on that ordinance occurred at the session. Under new business the council read three additional measures on first reading: Ordinance 2025-24 would amend Exhibit A of Ordinance 2025-12 to adjust compensation for part-time, full-time and administrative employees to accommodate a state minimum wage increase and cost-of-living adjustments; Ordinance 2025-25 would amend the 2025 appropriations; and Ordinance 2025-26 would set appropriations for 2026.

Those introducing the ordinances emphasized they were at the reading stage and would return for further action. A council member said the proposed compensation changes reflect an increase in the state minimum wage to $11 in 2026 and associated non-bargaining staff adjustments. City staff and councilmembers thanked department directors for their input at recent budget sessions.

The council’s procedural steps mean the measures will advance through the formal ordinance process before any appropriation or compensation changes take effect. A second reading is already scheduled or anticipated for the capital-improvement ordinance, and the council flagged that a vote on the capital plan could occur at a future meeting. Council members repeatedly thanked residents for participating in the recent general election and noted outreach and training items tied to future fiscal work.

The council also approved routine minutes and adjourned; no votes on the capital improvement plan or the new appropriations ordinances were recorded during this meeting.