City Council Committee of the Whole Budget Review Meeting 10/21/26 | City of Reading, PA

The City Council Committee of the Whole held a 2027 budget review on October 21, 2026, covering the library and Fire and EMS. The library reported an approximately $3.4 million annual budget supported by city, county, state, donations, and fundraising; state requirements direct 12% of expenditures to collections. The main-branch elevator replacement was identified as already funded through ARPA, not the upcoming operating budget. No new library procurement award or spending motion was presented.

Fire and EMS budget discussions included a leased fire-truck fleet, recurring capital planning for an ambulance, and proposed training equipment: a forceful-entry simulator and protective-gear extractor within a $30,000 minor-capital budget, plus $950 for small tools. The city realigned several expense categories and discussed costs involving vendors including TK Elevator, United Diagnostic, Stryker Sales, and ESO Solutions. EMS medical-surgical supplies were budgeted at $115,500, and dispatch costs are paid to Berks County. Officials discussed rising call volumes, possible future ambulance and staffing needs, and fire staffing levels; these were planning and contract-negotiation discussions, not approvals of additional positions or purchases. No procurement-related vote or contract award occurred; the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.