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Lebanon City Council approved a four-year contract with the city’s roughly 20 career firefighters at its Sept. 28 monthly meeting.
Career firefighters are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the city’s fire department. They operate and maintain firetrucks and related equipment, maintain the city’s four fire stations, and conduct fire safety inspections.
The new collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO Local 1952, runs from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2029, and provides a 3.75% base salary increase for 2026 and a 4% increase for each of the next three years.
A captain, the city’s highest-ranked career firefighter, will receive a prorated 2026 base salary of $85,886, effective Sept. 1. The 2026 starting annual salary for new hires is $52,964.
The contract also makes adjustments to paid holidays, medical insurance premium sharing and deductibles, prescription coverage, and other employment terms.
Mayor Sherry Capello was pleased with the new contract.
“The city and the firefighters union negotiated in good faith, with both parties demonstrating a willingness to compromise and make meaningful concessions,” she said. “Through mutual respect and a shared commitment to reaching an agreement, we were able to achieve a fair and equitable contract that balances the interests of the firefighters with the city’s fiscal responsibilities and the needs of our residents.”
Council learned that the city’s 2027 mandatory minimum pension plan contributions, which are set by the commonwealth’s auditor general, will be $877,814 ($872,684 in 2026) for police and $552,053 ($461,566 for 2026) for firefighters. No contribution will be required for non-uniformed employees’ pension fund, which is already fully funded.
Council also gave final approval to two ordinances preliminarily approved last month governing the operation of bicycles and electric-powered two-wheel vehicles, often incorrectly lumped together as “e-bikes,” on central business district sidewalks and on non-designated pathways in city parks. The ordinances make exceptions for police and disabled people.
Other business before council
Also at the meeting, council:
- Learned that through Aug. 31, with the budget year 67% complete, city revenues and expenditures were at 77% and 51%, respectively, of 2026 projections.
- Authorized city administrators to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a $100,000 “Main Street Matters” grant to improve building facades in the central business district. The city unsuccessfully applied for the highly competitive grant last year.
- Heard an update from fire chief Aaron Sweitzer on his department’s activity so far this year and his plans going forward. His report included a description of the $2.3 million renovation underway at Fire Station No.1 at 8th and Orange streets, home to the Union, Perseverance, and Hook & Ladder companies.
- Heard an update from Michelle Hawk on activities at the Lebanon Community Library, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The library is sponsoring a “Book Fairs Forever!” event from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lebanon Valley Mall.
Next Lebanon City Council meetings
City Council’s next pre-council planning meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 4:45 p.m. The next regular monthly business meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Council meetings are open to the public and held in the City Hall multi-purpose room, 735 Cumberland St., first floor, Lebanon. Meetings are streamed live on YouTube here.
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