Allentown · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Allentown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Budget Process Reform and Timeline Adjustments
Bill 89 would write down clear, public capital planning procedures under the Home Rule Charter, developed jointly by the administration and Council staff.
Cable franchise agreements with RCN and Verizon
New franchise agreements with RCN and Verizon would govern cable service rights-of-way and franchise fees in the city. Both ordinances are being introduced and sent to committee.
Elimination of GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage
The city stopped covering GLP-1 medications for weight loss starting 2027 after spending ballooned from $470,000 to nearly $3 million in two years. Coverage remains for medical conditions.
Independent Five-Year Financial Analysis
Auditors found Allentown's plan is balanced only in 2027; after that, deficits of $3.1–$3.8 million a year accumulate and cash reserves fall below the 17% minimum by 2030. Council will need new revenue or spending action to stabilize finances.
City Controller Independence and Account Reconciliation
The city is updating its code to officially separate the controller's independent oversight duties from the day-to-day preparation of bank accounts. This change matches current practice and reinforces financial checks and balances.
Pass-Through Grant Appropriations for Community Construction Projects
Several bills allocate state and federal grant money for traffic signals, trail construction, streetscapes, and environmental remediation.
HR Position Upgrade and Budget Reallocation
Allentown is upgrading an existing HR receptionist position to a constituent services specialist equipped with tracking software. This change aims to improve how the city handles and responds to resident inquiries and service requests.
Controller's Special Events and Procurement Audits
The City Controller's office revealed widespread compliance issues, including missing vendor business licenses, uncollected late fees, and procurement system gaps.
2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
The city closed 2025 with strong general fund revenues and better-than-expected savings across several municipal funds. Officials also implemented a clearer accounting method for Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) liabilities to improve public transparency.
Employee Healthcare Costs and Risk Fund Transfer
City Council transferred $6.5 million from the general fund into the self-insured risk fund to cover higher-than-expected employee healthcare claims and medical expenses. Officials noted that while self-insured healthcare costs have spiked, stop-loss insurance will eventually reimburse portions of high-dollar claims.
City Controller Vacancy Appointment
The City Council interviewed three candidates to fill the unexpired term of the late City Controller Jeff Glazier. Jasmine Salgado was selected to provide independent financial oversight, audit municipal expenditures, and review city budgets through December 2027.
Firefighter Pension and Disability Requests
The Fire Pension Board processed and approved standard retirement packages for four departing Allentown firefighters, ensuring they receive their earned annual benefits.
Special Ad Hoc Municipal Police Fire Postretirement Adjustment
The board considered postretirement adjustments for police and fire retirees to help offset cost-of-living impacts. These adjustments affect retirement income security for long-serving public safety personnel.
Controller's Office Intern Process Audits
College interns researched and documented three key city processes—procurement, accounts payable, and special events—to help identify areas for efficiency and stronger internal controls. These audits help the city catch errors or fraudulent billing and streamline everyday operations.
Elected Official Travel Oversight and Transparency
Council members want more visibility and reporting on the mayor's official travel and conferences to ensure accountability and community benefit. Administration officials agreed to provide advance travel schedules and updates.
June 2026 Financial Reports Review
The committee examined the city's financial standing and budgetary performance for the month of June.
Mayor's Travel Expenses and Transparency
Council members reviewed a newly provided report detailing the mayor's office travel and public advocacy expenses, which total about 12 cents per resident. Officials discussed establishing clearer, standardized travel approval policies for both staff and elected leaders.
Tyler Muniz Software Migration
The IT department is working on upgrading servers, rolling out e-signatures, integrating permits into Energov, and transitioning to the Munis software by July 2026.
Property Deconversion and Garbage Billing Disputes
A long-time property owner raised concerns over the transparency and financial burden of the city's property deconversion process after being billed $3,000 for unused rental units.
Parking Authority Debt and Municipal Revenue Sharing
Council members questioned why the Allentown Parking Authority does not currently remit surplus revenue to the city, contrasting Allentown's practice with other Pennsylvania municipalities.
2025 Year-End Financial Performance and NIZ Accounting
The city closed 2025 with strong general fund revenues and better-than-expected savings across several municipal funds. Officials also implemented a clearer accounting method for Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) liabilities to improve public transparency.
Economic Nexus Tax Enforcement for Remote Sellers
Allentown is actively pursuing out-of-state online retailers and large corporations that do business in the city without a physical storefront to ensure they pay business privilege taxes.
Municipal Pension Fund Management and Portfolio Rebalancing
The Allentown Aggregate Pension Board reviewed investment performance and rebalanced its fire, police, and O&E pension funds to ensure long-term stability.