Voters this primary election will get the opportunity to approve by ballot question putting a government study commission in place to study the aspects of transitioning Williamsport to a home rule charter.

City Council recently approved a resolution for it as a body and the administration of Mayor Derek Slaughter to work together to place a government study commission question on the city ballot for the primary election May 19.

Under the support of the strategic management planning program, the state Department of Community and Economic Development has made a recommendation that the city pursue the creation of a home rule charter for the city.

Transition to home rule is recommended in order to “increase the city’s financial stability, decrease its dependency on property taxes, diversify its opportunities for taxation, and provide the city with better local control over governance.”

The question will read: “Shall a government study commission of seven members be elected to study the existing form of government of the municipality, to consider the advisability of the adoption of a home rule charter, and if advisable, to draft and to recommend a home rule charter?”

The final decision on the members of the government study commission will rest with the voters of the city.

The intention of the administration and council is to jointly select a slate of seven candidates for a government study commission, including the mayor and a member of council, with the understanding that other candidates may also choose to nominate themselves.

It marks the second time in the last decade that such a commission formed to study city government structure, including home rule, and voters last time rejected it at the polls.

Nevertheless, the city consultant on the strategic management planning process, Public Financial Management Inc., or PFM, of Philadelphia, is expected to present a report in coming weeks, including how home rule could dramatically and positively impact city revenue.