Whether residents want a government study commission of seven members to study Home Rule form of government will be on the ballot for the May 16 primary election in Williamsport.

Getting a question on the ballot and setting the composition of a government study commission of seven members to review home rule was in an ordinance approved by City Council.

“This is really the big recommendation that is coming from PFM,” said Councilman Adam Yoder. PFM, or Public Financial Management, Philadelphia, has experts looking at the five-year strategic management plan and city finances and strongly recommended the city move toward Home Rule.

“This starts that process,” Yoder said. “This is really good,” he said. “I’m excited to see this. “We need people to serve on the commission, because if you read the ordinance these people who would serve on the commission are on the ballot at the same time.”

For the city, time is of the essence in that regard.

“I would encourage all of us to reach out to folks,” Yoder said.

“I think it would be wise of us to do some kind of a town hall for interested parties and the public in general and, notably, because we went through this eight or nine years ago and it was unsuccessful.”

He continued, “Frankly I think we are doing this for much different reasons that I think are very good. There are a lot of good things that will come out of this that I am excited about. I think there is a good opportunity to speak to the public more directly and have them engaged with that as well so some food for thought for the group.”

Councilman Jonah Milliken chimed in.

“As a new guy, and I keep saying that, this is a complicated concept,” he said. “I was sitting in the audience for a year so anything we can do to better inform the public on what this is and what it looks like and how people can get involved I’m all for it and happy to help.”

Council President Eric Beiter said, “What I can say is we will put together an action plan so we can get this out to the public in the best way.”

Home Rule communities include Lancaster, Hazleton and Altoona, for example.

A city might vote to adopt a charter establishing a council-manager system or a mayor-council system, rather than relying on a standard state-mandated structure.

Home Rule allows for local laws on things like zoning, taxation (within limits), and public services, with fewer state-level approvals needed.

One recommendation by PFM is if Home Rule is enacted that earned income tax can be adjusted higher to rely less on property tax increases.

Citizens can initiate changes through the charter process to gain more control over local issues, like energy policy or drilling.

In terms of benefits, Home Rule can give greater local control, faster response to community issues, increased citizen participation, and holding local officials directly accountable.

There are drawbacks, however, such as potential for abuse of power by local leaders without state oversight, complexity of the charter, and, as explained by PFM, the potential for increased local taxes or controversial decisions.