Williamsport City Council has approved a $4.3 million minimum municipal obligation to cover the pension costs for firefighters, police officers and employees, which is a $242,840 increase from 2022’s obligation.

But council also learned that will be made easier to manage with about $1.3 million in state aid that will offset the 2022 minimum municipal pension obligation, said Sandra Trout, of Mockenhaupt Benefits Group.

It is positive for the 2023 minimum municipal obligation but the investment from this year may not be as positive for the 2024 minimum municipal obligation based on the financial markets, she noted.

The $4.3 million obligation correlates to what was not done several years ago by city officials choosing not to fully fund the pensions, Councilwoman Liz Miele said.

The pension calculations for the police, firefighters and other city employees will be on the city website but not as of Friday afternoon.