# City Council Committee of the Whole Budget Review Meeting 10/28/26 | City of Reading, PA


**Body:** Berks Community Television
**Date:** October 27, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure


The City of Reading City Council Committee of the Whole held a budget review on October 28, 2026, covering Community Development Department budgets and proposed 2027 CDBG, ESG, and HOME action plans. Staff proposed a CDBG allocation based on an anticipated $2.5 million entitlement, including $500,000 for administration, $200,000 for property maintenance code enforcement salaries, $100,000 for building and trades enforcement, $250,000 for improvements to the New Journey day shelter, and support for housing, lead remediation, public services, and other projects. The proposed ESG plan assumes about $215,000 and includes allocations for Opportunity House, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Human Relations Commission, and Mary Shelter. The HOME plan assumes about $910,000 plus at least $1,000 in program income, including $450,000 for homeownership assistance and about $251,000 for new housing construction. A requested $400,000 rehabilitation proposal was deemed ineligible because of conflicts of interest. These were proposals for review, not awards approved by a vote; the action plan resolution was scheduled for Council consideration on November 9, with submission to HUD by November 15.

The budget review also covered departmental revenue and spending adjustments, including $450,000 proposed for emergency demolitions and $350,000 for Code Blue operations. Staff identified $100,000 for Hailstone’s planning and zoning support in the proposed budget; officials said the city’s contracts with the firm do not, to their knowledge, have a not-to-exceed amount. The 2027 plan does not fund the sidewalk improvement program, with discussion indicating that funding had been redirected toward homelessness-related projects; staff agreed to review the program’s barriers and report back. Council also requested an independent, targeted review of the city’s finances and financial software. Staff said they were seeking quotes in accordance with the purchasing policy and would put the work out to bid and bring it to Council if required by the anticipated cost. No procurement award or spending motion was recorded.

**Source:** Berks Community Television