Harrisburg city hall (file photo)
Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams plans to appeal a ruling that allows City Council to defund several top city positions.
In a brief statement tonight, Williams stated that she would appeal Tuesday’s decision by Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Engle, who ruled against her in a lawsuit she brought against council.
“Voters did not vote for government by litigation,” she said. “I have to defend the city and its operations, and I will appeal!”
Williams’ lawsuit claimed that council overreached its power when defunding several top city positions as part of the 2026 budget. However, on Tuesday morning, Engle dismissed Williams’ claims, allowing council’s budget decision to stand.
As part of the 2026 budget, council defunded the business administrator role, saying that the interim director had remained in the position without council’s approval, past the allowed time for a temporary employee. They reduced the salary for the interim director of building and housing development for the same reason. They also zeroed out the salary for the project director for business administration/LERTA and for the police bureau’s director of community engagement and relations. Williams vetoed those budget changes, but council overrode the veto.
On Jan. 8, Williams filed a complaint asking for an emergency injunction and declaratory ruling, in an attempt to reallocate salaries to four city officials, three of whom had been fired because their salaries were zeroed out.
In his memorandum opinion, Engle agreed with council that it was within its rights to make budgetary changes to salaries. He spent over three pages discussing the business administrator position, and refuting Williams’ argument that it is a statutory, legally required position.
“I want the residents of Harrisburg to know that your mayor did not lose today,” Williams said, in her statement. “The damages are to the citizens of the city. I agree with the court that there will be “severe consequences for city government” because of council’s actions.”
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