City Council Committee of the Whole Budget Review Meeting 11/4/26 | City of Reading, PA

The City of Reading City Council Committee of the Whole held a police department budget review on November 4, 2026, covering Criminal Investigations, Special Services, Patrol, and Administration. The review described proposed budget allocations and reclassification of existing expenses, but no contract award, vendor selection, or budget approval vote was identified. In Patrol, the school crossing guard expense budget was set at $690,000 under the new contract, with a corresponding $345,000 school district contribution. The patrol dues and subscriptions line increased to $699,359, primarily for body-camera and Taser subscriptions; other notable allocations included $38,500 for canine services and $7,500 for furniture and minor capital equipment.

Officials also discussed staffing and operating costs, including increased overtime budgets, three police positions left unfunded for 2027, and the goal of reaching the department’s allocated 175 officers. Across divisions, expenses were shifted among contracted services, dues and subscriptions, maintenance agreements, and other accounts to better classify existing payments. The only motion noted was to adjourn; no procurement action was approved.