ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Two exiting City Council members who thought they’d seen their last meeting may have one last hurrah.
Council President Daryl Hendricks and two-term member Ed Zucal waved goodbye to their colleagues Dec. 17 after the body passed a 2026 budget that would keep the property-tax rate flat while raising trash fees.
But members could be back in their seats before the end of the year.
Hendricks “is poised” to schedule a meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday if a resolution to override Mayor Matt Tuerk’s budget veto finds two sponsors, according to City Clerk Michael Hanlon.
Council passed its budget, which also requires officials to take $1.5 million from cash reserves to balance revenues and spending, by a 4-3 vote.
Its supporters — Zucal, Cynthia Mota, Ce-Ce Gerlach and Natalie Santos — are the members most likely to support an override resolution.
Council passed its own budget after rejecting three proposals from Tuerk. Each called for a 3.96% increase in property taxes, though the mayor was willing to negotiate on his initial request for a $135 hike in annual trash-fees.
Raising the property tax while easing the trash-fee increase would shift more of the overall burden to wealthier residents and commercial property owners, as many would avoid a trash-fee increase because they use private trash services, according to Tuerk and Finance Director Bina Patel.
Council’s vetoed budget would’ve brought savings for all Allentonians who pay taxes and trash fees when compared to Tuerk’s initial proposal.
But it would’ve forced owners of lower-valued properties to pay more than either of the mayor’s counterproposals.
If council does not override Tuerk’s veto, his initial proposal will take effect Jan. 1.
