ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Questions lingered over the status of the city’s budget well into the new year after council challenged the mayor’s authority to adopt his own spending plan.
Mayor Matt Tuerk insisted his initial 2026 budget proposal — which includes an almost 4% property tax raise and a rise in annual trash fees — took effect Jan. 1. He said he's bound by state law to enact a balanced spending plan by year’s end.
But council’s solicitor and some members argued his unilateral move ran afoul of voters’ overwhelming will in 2019 to stop a mayor from defaulting to their own proposal without a budget approved by city legislators.
The debate was made moot Jan. 13 when members officially adopted Tuerk’s initial 2026 budget proposal.
“I would like to see clarity.”Councilman Jeremy Binder
Councilman Jeremy Binder, who took his seat this month, now wants to ensure there are no more battles over what happens without a budget agreement.
On Wednesday, Binder introduced legislation that calls on officials to “clearly define and address … gaps” in the city’s budgetary process — and what happens if they can’t agree again.
“I would like to see clarity,” he said.
Council is scheduled to meet Jan. 28 to start that review, which could lead to changes via ordinance or referendum, Binder said.
He said he wants to ensure future council members don’t experience the “same thing that I walked into.”
Binder and fellow newcomer Cristian Pungo were forced to weigh in on a budget and tax raises with their first vote as councilmen; most new members get to build up almost a year’s experience before their first budget seasons begin.
