Bethlehem City Council held its most comprehensive and extensive departmental review Nov. 25 as part of its third budget meeting, presented by Community and Economic Development Director Laura Collins.

Under her purview are housing and homelessness, safer streets, urban recreation, trails and parks, Northside Alive and Healthy Home Project. This also oversees the Community Development Block Grant Fund. This fund provides first time homeowner loans, housing improvement and rehab-facade program, and Habitat for Humanity funding.

This was the second year for the Community Recovery Fund, aids nonprofit groups helping people in Bethlehem to food access and child care. This is one of many grant funded projects Collins oversees.

The overall budget for this department of $17.5 million is influenced by grant funding of 64 percent or $11 million in 2025. $5.7 million is expected in revenue. One source of revenue is permitting.

Police Chief Michelle Kott the department continues to seek diverse qualified applicants to fill staffing needs and also reported most crime is down within the city. The Vice Unit has seized marijuana, marijuana plants, cocaine, fentanyl, MDNA, K2, several guns and a car during its operations this year.

Major expenses for the department include vehicles, updated technology, training and education, wellness care and resilience. There are also four administrative support staff and one records person that doubles as the animal control officer. There is also a dispatch/control center working directly with the officers.

Fire Chief Mike Reich said his department is on target to respond to 5,000 calls, and EMS 13,000 calls in 2024. “This includes specialized teams such as the bomb squad, HAZMAT and water rescue, each requiring special training.” There are 16 vacancies but seven are on track at the academy, leaving nine vacancies.

Reich said some budgetary increases include QRS (formerly part of EMS budget), smoke detectors and uniforms. A new line-item expense is eyewear for firefighters. Reich said he expects several grants will continue being awarded, such as the State Fire Commissioners Grant and the Public Safety Grant.

Meanwhile the water rescue team has requested a new boat and motor to replace the 1997 boat. The motor has been rebuilt multiple times and should be replaced.