Bethlehem City Council Finance Committee Meeting - September 16, 2025
Bethlehem City Council Finance Committee Meeting - September 16, 2025
The Bethlehem City Council Finance Committee met on September 16, 2025, chaired by Grace Cramsey Smith, with members Hillary Puyatec and Rachel Leon, and Councilman Callahan also present. The committee reviewed three agenda items: a budget adjustment to support the World Heritage Coordinator position, a budget adjustment for two health grants, and an informational memorandum on an extra payroll period in 2026. No public comments were offered.
Discussion Items
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World Heritage Coordinator Budget Adjustment: Stephanie Agello, the World Heritage Coordinator, presented a request to transfer $150,000 from the downtown initiatives account (unspent funds from 2021-2024) to support the site coordinator salary, freeing up resources for other site needs. She highlighted the partnership with Moravian University, which agreed to fund a site manager position and provide in-kind services (e.g., grant writing, event support). The request is for two years, with reevaluation after that. Council members expressed support for the World Heritage site but raised concerns about using the downtown initiatives fund, given prior unmet merchant needs for downtown improvements. The administration noted that the parking authority is funding $350,000 in lamp post replacements, a top merchant priority, and that other funding sources exist. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to recommend approval and place legislation on the council agenda.
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Health Grants Budget Adjustment: A representative from the health department requested two budget increases: $7,900 for the women's health services program and $34,000 for immunization outreach, both from leftover funds from the prior fiscal year. The representative noted that the immunization grant will decrease next year, but flexible public health infrastructure grant funds and clinic billing are offsetting the shortfall. The women's health grant is uncertain after June 2026. The committee unanimously approved the adjustments.
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27th Payroll Period in 2026: Business Administrator Eric Evans presented an informational item about an extra payroll period occurring once every 11 years due to bi-weekly pay cycles. The 27th pay would fall on January 1, 2027, but due to the holiday, it will be paid on December 31, 2026, within the 2026 fiscal year. The city had prepared by setting aside nearly $2 million in an escrow account since 2016, built from various savings, to cover the extra payroll cost. No vote was needed; the item was for advance notice.
Key Outcomes
- The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to recommend approval of the $150,000 budget transfer for the World Heritage Coordinator position and to place the corresponding legislation on the council agenda.
- The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to recommend approval of the two health grant budget increases ($7,900 and $34,000) and to place the legislation on the council agenda.
- The third item was informational only; no action was taken.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome. I will call the to order the meeting of the Beth City Council Finance Committee. I am Grace Cramsey Smith, Chair of the Finance Committee. The other committee members are Hillary Puyatec and Rachel Leon. The clerk will please call the role. Ms. Cramcy Smith. Present. Ms. Guiatech. Present. And Ms. Leon. Present. Other council members present this evening are Councilman Callahan. Tonight there are three agenda items for the meeting. The first two items involve proposed budget adjustments. The third item is a memorandum from business administrator Eric Evans involving a 2026 payroll matter. YouTube reminder if you started streaming this meeting after 6 p.m., please make sure to scroll ahead so that the YouTube stream is current rather than a recording of an earlier portion of the meeting. We will now do public comment. Is there anyone from the public who would like to speak on any of the agenda items tonight with a five-minute time limit? Is there anyone from the audience public that would like to speak? Okay, we don't have anyone signed up, correct? Correct. Okay, we will move on. The first agenda item is to review proposed adjustment to the general fund budget, support of the World Heritage Coordinator position. I will call on a representative from the administration to discuss this request. Okay, thank you, Stephanie Agello. World Heritage Coordinator. I'll take this one. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Evening. Can you hear me? Okay. Um, if I can first start by recognizing some people who are present in the audience and representation of World Heritage. Um, first like to recognize Charlene Donchus Mowers, our senior advisor and historian of the Bethlehem World Heritage Council and Commission. None of this, which would be possible without her work, which began in 2002 and ultimately led to our designation as a World Heritage Site. Also like to recognize Hank Barnett, who's vice chair of the Bethlehem World Heritage Council and Commission who lended his support and expertise to this entire process. And also President Grigsby from Moravian University, who's been a wonderful partner to the council. Um, and as one of the property owners of the World World Heritage Site has pledged to the federal government to promise to preserve our properties. Um, and as you will learn shortly, Moravyan University has provided a credible amount of additional support. Um, in addition, we also have President Dr. Catherine Fall, our new World Heritage Site Manager, approved unanimously by all of our World Heritage stakeholders. Um little background about her. She received her doctorate from Princeton University as internationally acclaimed scholar of Moravian studies. So we'd like to welcome her as she recently took on her new role. So thank you for your time tonight and allowing me to present a little bit about our site and our request. Um I wanted to thank the City Council for their continued interest and support of World Heritage. I'm especially grateful for your presence at the World Heritage Celebration on September 6th.
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