# City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting 11/2/26 | City of Reading, PA

The City of Reading City Council Committee of the Whole held a budget review on November 2, 2026, focused on Public Works and related funds. Proposed changes included several reductions to Public Works maintenance and service lines, creation of a separate Sustainability division (including $165,000 for contracted services and $55,750 for consulting, with grant-match funding included), and a decision not to fund one historically vacant Parks equipment-operator position. The proposed Solid Waste budget increased contracted services to $3,031,320 for recycling and $6,092,465 for trash, reflecting contracts with Public Services and Republic Services, respectively. The Shade Tree Fund receives approximately 1.56% of property-tax revenue; the state’s Liquid Fuels award was reported at $2,097,569, with funds supporting road work and winter operations. Officials discussed using CDBG funding for handicap ramps so more Liquid Fuels funding can go toward street paving, pursuing additional grants, and meeting with PennDOT about grants and paving priorities. Councilor Baker requested multi-year tax-increase scenarios, including 1%–5% options and estimated effects on taxpayers; the Finance Director agreed to prepare projections.

During the agenda review, the committee discussed proposed bills to amend the 2026 Solid Waste Fund budget by $15,500 for fuel and other remaining-year expenses, and the 2026 Fire budget by $38,000 for fuel. Other agenda items concerned revising the property-inspection fee schedule and correcting an ordinance. No votes on these items were reported. The discussion also covered streetlight spending and LED conversions, but no streetlight contract award or purchasing decision was identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Environment
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 02, 2026

### Sources
- [City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting 11/2/26 | City of Reading, PA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoVC_d9KTtA) - Berks Community Television