READING, Pa. – As budget issues continue at both the federal and state levels, Reading City Council got a first look at its proposed 2026 budget Monday night.
For the first time in four years, the city is expected to see an increase in property taxes, Finance Director Jamar Kelly said. Property taxes are proposed to go up from 18.129 mills to 19.261 mills. For the average city homeowner, this would mean an increase of $163.
Kelly said wages and benefits are one of city’s biggest expenses, comprising 70% of the budget and having risen 16% over the past four years. Kelly said he does not want to recommend layoffs but hopes to control personnel expenses through attrition. He said he expects that fewer than five positions will be added in 2026, including a downtown coordinator, budget analyst and fire trainer…