City Council Evidentiary Public Hearing 10/28/26 | City of Reading, PA

The City of Reading City Council held a public hearing on October 28, 2026, on the proposed 2027 general fund and capital budgets. The administration presented a balanced general fund budget with $129,250,646 in expenditures, balanced in part through $12,446,300 in fund balance, and a capital budget of $12,431,500 across 22 projects. Officials also reported that one mill currently yields about $1,295,570 and a 3% tax increase would generate about $740,000 in additional revenue. Based on draft 2025 audit figures, the general fund balance was reported as $48,949,000, including $989,000 restricted for the sick pool, $13,695,000 assigned to the projected 2026 deficit, and $34,265,000 unassigned; the administration noted that final figures remain subject to the audit.

Council received no public comments, and no contracts, vendors, bids, or specific project procurements were discussed or approved. The charter deadline for enacting the budget and related ordinances is December 14, 2026. Council adjourned the hearing following a motion and second; no budget approval vote was taken at this hearing.