Mayor Gabriel J. Campana promised on Tuesday he will never lead the city into bankruptcy and, if financially necessary to keep the promise, would even not replace police officers who retire.
The mayor made the revelation Tuesday morning while meeting with reporters to discuss a gathering of mayors he attended in Harrisburg on Monday.
Mayors from across the state rallied to encourage legislators to support "new revenue options" designed to ease the tax burden of property owners as municipalities cope with increasing personnel costs and and a troubled economy.
The rally was held to publicize pending legislation supported by the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities - among them the County and Municipal Tax Relief Act, which would allow a county sales tax designed to share revenue with municipalities.
The other pieces include legislation to expand the sales tax, a local option liquor sales tax and a reimbursement program for cities with large tracts of land owned by tax-exempt non-profits.
The mayor endorsed tax reform and alternative revenue options and said brief conversations with state Reps. Garth Everett, R-Muncy Township, and Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport, gave him the impression they also support them.
According to Campana, the city is not currently in danger of being financially distressed, and he promised "financial planning" will remain a priority.
"Financial planning is very important to me," he said.
He promised regular updates to City Council and the public and the city's financial situation and said - if necessary - additional layoffs of city employees will occur and early retirements encouraged to thin the workforce.
The mayor said "all avenues" for cutting and controlling costs are on the table. For the first time in memory, Campana said he would allow openings in the police department created by retirements or resignations to go unfilled if necessary.
"That's a possibility," he said. "We're looking at the financial health of the city."
He couched the comment, however, by saying public safety could not be jeopardized.
The big problem, according to the mayor, is the state's 40-year-old tax structure and - despite popular support for reform - the reluctance of the legislature to do something about it.
"We are pleading with the state to give us the ability to control our own destiny," he said.
Campana said the city is "living within (its) budget" and there are positive signs of economic development and revitalization locally.
According to the mayor, there at least 19 state municipalities of various sizes facing bankruptcy and 33 classified as in need of financial intervention.
"We have been fortunate," he added.
