Council approves reallocation of two planning positions to reflect Allentown Works grant work

The Allentown City Council on May 20 adopted Bill 34, which amends the 2026 general fund budget to change the allocation of salary and benefit expenses for two Department of Community and Economic Development positions so the ledger reflects work performed under the Allentown Works recompete grant.

Councilmember Bender questioned how the changes would affect day‑to‑day workload and whether city services would have reduced access to senior‑planner time. A city staff member (identified in the transcript as Vicky) explained the senior planner’s allocation will be adjusted to bill more time to the grant because that position is performing start‑up administration and partner coordination for the geography‑specific grant; the assistant planner’s allocation will be adjusted to reflect more general‑fund work. "We analyzed the work that was done by the individuals within this grant," staff said, describing the shift as an accounting change to align billing with actual tasks and to reduce burden on the general fund where appropriate.

Council members pressed on whether work was being displaced or reallocated; staff responded the city is tracking grant‑specific work and expects roles to shift as the grant moves from start‑up to steady‑state operations. The clerk announced the final vote as 7 yeas and no nays. No dollar amount for the salary shifts was provided in the ordinance language; the transcript records percentage allocations discussed (senior planner previously 75% general fund / 25% grant; assistant planner described as 50% / 50%).