City Solicitor Susan Ellis Wild issued the following statement after a negotiating session on the 2017 city budget was held today under the guidance of retired Federal Judge James Cahn...

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, City Council President Ray O’Connell, City Council Vice President Daryl Hendricks and City Solicitor Susan Wild met today under the guidance of retired Federal Judge Edward Cahn hoping to resolve a dispute over the 2017 city budget.

The two sides are close to finalizing an agreement.

The city thanks Judge Cahn for his time and effort in bringing everyone together.

The city budget process allows for a system of checks and balances between the administrative and legislative branches. Both sides have made concessions and neither side is 100% happy. That is the nature of compromise. Compromise is never easy, but in the end the administration and City Council believe that the agreement is the best way to move the city forward and avoid a potentially costly and time consuming court fight.

We will have something more for you after the agreement is finalized in the coming days.

--30--