Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Allentown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in taxes budget with high priority
Special Ad Hoc Municipal Police Fire Postretirement Adjustment
The board will get an update on the state-authorized 2026 Ad Hoc PRA, which affects postretirement adjustments for police and firefighter pensions. This directly shapes retirement benefits for Allentown's first responders and the city's pension obligations.
2027 Budget Creation
Staff will start shaping the Redevelopment Authority's 2027 budget, which guides how it funds property acquisition and redevelopment work across Allentown. Early discussions now set priorities for next year.
Pass-Through Grant Appropriations for Community Construction Projects
Several bills allocate state and federal grant money for traffic signals, trail construction, streetscapes, and environmental remediation.
2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
The city closed 2025 with strong general fund revenues and better-than-expected savings across several municipal funds. Officials also implemented a clearer accounting method for Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) liabilities to improve public transparency.
Elected Official Travel Oversight and Transparency
Council members want more visibility and reporting on the mayor's official travel and conferences to ensure accountability and community benefit. Administration officials agreed to provide advance travel schedules and updates.
Mayor's Travel Expenses and Transparency
Council members reviewed a newly provided report detailing the mayor's office travel and public advocacy expenses, which total about 12 cents per resident. Officials discussed establishing clearer, standardized travel approval policies for both staff and elected leaders.
Tyler Muniz Software Migration
The IT department is working on upgrading servers, rolling out e-signatures, integrating permits into Energov, and transitioning to the Munis software by July 2026.
2025 Year-End Financial Performance and NIZ Accounting
The city closed 2025 with strong general fund revenues and better-than-expected savings across several municipal funds. Officials also implemented a clearer accounting method for Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) liabilities to improve public transparency.
Economic Nexus Tax Enforcement for Remote Sellers
Allentown is actively pursuing out-of-state online retailers and large corporations that do business in the city without a physical storefront to ensure they pay business privilege taxes.
Municipal Pension Fund Management and Portfolio Rebalancing
The Allentown Aggregate Pension Board reviewed investment performance and rebalanced its fire, police, and O&E pension funds to ensure long-term stability.