Trending
Williamsport City Council has approved the first phase of the Williamsport Government Study Commission budget and, as promised, 90% of the consultant cost is covered by a state grant.
"Council has prioritized the Government Study Commission (GSC) as our current project with our Strategic Management Plan Program grant," said Valerie Fessler, a member of the seven-member GSC, a city employee and executive director of the Department of Community and Economic Development.
The elected commission members are analyzing Home Rule, a form of government that allows municipalities powers beyond what they normally have under state law.
There are advocates who believe that adopting Home Rule would give Williamsport greater control over local decisions including taxation, such as controlling spiraling property tax rates; zoning, public services and organizational structure of city government, while opponents throughout Pennsylvania have raised concerns about changing the structure of city government and the possibility of subjecting residents to higher income taxes.
Home rule also would allow for changing the structure of local government, such as the number of council members and whether the city continues having a mayor or opts for another form of executive, such as a city manager in place of a strong mayor. It does so by giving communities a chance to adopt their own charter, or "local constitution."
As the consultant, the Pennsylvania Economy League is assessing a fee of $83,000 and the grant covers $74,397 of the cost, Fessler said.
The commission has moved forward on things like the website, a consultant who live streams any meetings, and has incurred fees with the solicitor. Not all of the expenses will be budgeted in the 2027 budget, she said.
Should home rule be voted in favor in next November general election, the city will need to construct an administrative code and the state has pledged a similar matching component for the writing of the administrative code, Councilwoman Liz Miele said.
Miele was among members of council who spearheaded the drive to get the commission question onto the spring ballot in 2026. Such writing of an administrative code would not carry as many costs as the consultant fees.
"We've done our best in this budget to be very mindful of the expenses such as only inviting solicitors to meetings when it's absolutely necessary," Fessler said.
Pennsylvania Finance Management (PFM) recommended the city pursue home rule charter and the Governor's Center for Local Government Services at the state Department of Community and Economic Development also provided guidance and information for the public. Also, for those interested, the Williamsport Home Rule website has links to live stream presentations of commission meetings, including minutes and edifying information, Fessler said.