Incumbent Mayor Williams Re-Nominated
Harrisburg voted to retain its leadership in city hall last month, as incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams narrowly claimed the Democratic nomination.
With all precincts reporting in the municipal primary, Williams won 1,725 votes, compared to 1,642 for city treasurer Dan Miller, who came in second in the field of five.
Rounding out the ballot, City Council member Lamont Jones claimed 1,092 votes, community activist Tone Cook Jr. received 312 votes and repeat candidate Lewis Butts won 90 votes.
The race came down to the wire, with the final precincts giving Williams the edge. At a victory party, Williams described herself as “elated” by her win.
“They wanted me back in office, and I’m here and I promise to do everything I can to make this city better,” she said.
Williams is heavily favored to win re-election in the November general election, as no Republicans ran in the primary. It would be her second four-year term.
The race for Harrisburg City Council was hotly contested, with 13 candidates competing for four, four-year seats.
In the end, Democratic incumbents Ausha Green, Jocelyn Rawls and Ralph Rodriguez all prevailed, with challenger and former council member Robert Lawson taking the nomination for the one open seat.
The Democratic challengers who fell short include Leslie Franklin, Lisa Glenn, Sharon Horne, Elyse Irvis, Willie Ross, Rich Sanders, Lori Saulisbury, Karl Singleton and Basir Vincent. Singleton died in March, but his name remained on the ballot. No Republicans ran in the council race.
The primary race for school board was not contested.
Democratic incumbents Roslyn Copeland, Danielle Robinson, Brian Carter and Jaime Johnsen all won nomination for four, four-year seats, while Annie Hughes was nominated for the lone two-year seat. No Republicans filed to run, meaning the incumbents are likely to win new terms in November.
For city controller, Karen Balaban was uncontested for the Democratic nomination. No Republicans competed for the seat.
Dauphin County has elections for several row offices this year.
For prothonotary, incumbent Matt Krupp of Harrisburg ran uncontested in the Republican primary, as did Harrisburg resident Antonio Carreno in the Democratic primary. They’ll compete in the general election.
The clerk of courts primary was competitive, with Tina Nixon defeating Timothy Pianka, both of Harrisburg, for the Democratic nomination. John McDonald won the Republican nomination running uncontested.
For county coroner, long-time incumbent Graham Hetrick took the Republican nomination running uncontested, as did John Harris Jr. for the Democratic nomination.
The primary results are considered preliminary until certified by the Dauphin County Bureau of Elections. The general election is slated for Nov. 4.
School District Weighs Tax Hike
Harrisburg property owners may see a tax increase in the coming year, as the school district seeks to make up for lost funds.
Harrisburg School District officials proposed a 2025-26 budget last month, while weighing a property tax increase that, they say, is needed to balance a budget impacted by the post-COVID-funding fiscal cliff.
Chief Financial Officer Dr. Marcia Stokes presented a proposed $211.8 million budget, a $5 million decrease from the 2024-25 budget, along with a 2% property tax hike.
The proposal would raise the tax rate from 30.78 to 31.4 mills. Even though the tax would increase, Stokes said that homeowners who qualify for the state’s Homestead Exemption would likely see a decrease on their bill, due to increased relief funds and fewer program participants.
Stokes explained that a tax increase is needed to combat less projected local revenue, due to a drop in taxable properties in the city, as well as less projected federal revenue.
School board directors questioned what would happen if they decided not to raise taxes. Stokes said that the district would likely have to make budget cuts and that the school district would face challenges in the long run, as it needs to begin raising taxes to maintain a healthy, balanced budget.
“From my professional standpoint, small incremental increases are the way to go, because they are predictable for our homeowners,” Stokes said. “They are something that’s slowly building the revenue stream that we have to maintain.”
However, district receiver Dr. Lori Suski wasn’t in complete agreement with Stokes about the tax hike—she believes they may need to raise taxes even more.
Most concerning for Suski, the district has petitioned the state to end its court-appointed receivership, a state oversight program that the district has been in for almost six years. In June, a Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas judge is slated to decide whether Harrisburg is ready to exit and regain local control or remain in the program for another three years.
As part of a potential exit, Harrisburg would be required to follow its Amended Recovery Plan, which details goals and objectives to help the district become financially and educationally stable. Part of that plan includes a need to raise revenue through local sources.
According to an outside financial advisory firm, Public Financial Management (PFM), the district needs to raise its property taxes by 4.81% this year to satisfy the Amended Recovery Plan and to balance the budget. Suski said that she is worried that, if the district doesn’t follow that guidance, it could be placed back under state control.
“We need to look at the long-term goal, and the long-term goal is we’ve worked very hard to exit,” she said.
Currently, Suski said that she expects the court to decide on a possible exit from receivership on June 17. The district is slated to adopt its budget on June 24. So, if the district is granted an exit, the board needs to decide if it strictly will follow the Amended Recovery Plan. If not, Suski said that she believes the state could put Harrisburg back into receivership, as it is required to monitor the district for five years after an exit.
“It’s like rolling the dice. You don’t know what you’re going to get,” Suski said. “I can’t imagine that they would throw you back in, but I don’t know.”
She also pointed out that the difference in the impact on the average taxpayer, if the board approved the 4% hike over the 2%, would be less than $100.
“I would hate to see all the work that has gone on in this district over the last few years to be down the tubes for just over $80,” she said. “I’m not trying to diminish the impact on the taxpayer. But we also need to remember that local control means local effort, local investment in our school district.”
Harrisburg Finances Deemed Stable
Harrisburg’s finances are “stable,” but the city faces considerable challenges moving forward, according to a recent report from a state-appointed financial board.
Last month, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) submitted its annual report to the commonwealth, offering a generally positive view of the city’s finances, but noting several concerns and, especially, urging the city to move ahead aggressively on developing an economic development plan.
“In the report, the ICA finds that the City of Harrisburg’s financial condition is currently stable, with progress toward many individual objectives,” according to the ICA, tasked since 2018 in helping to oversee Harrisburg’s financial progress. “The report, though, continues to advocate for a more comprehensive approach to economic redevelopment, as well as work toward reentering the credit marketplace.”
The report emphasizes three issues of note.
First, it “encourages” the city to work with other stakeholders, including businesses, residents, developers and neighborhood groups, to “adopt and implement a wide-ranging economic development strategy.”
“Such a plan would help significantly with the city’s vitality and preventing future downturns in the local economy,” according to the ICA.
The ICA, in its report, states that the city is the preferable entity to lead such an effort and that, in fact, the city administration has begun to put together a working group to develop a plan.
Secondly, on a related note, an economic development plan would help address the negative impact of the post-pandemic local economy, as many state and other office workers now work remotely. These impacts include higher commercial vacancy rates, reduced property taxes, less parking revenue and lower income from worker taxes.
Thirdly, the ICA remains “concerned” that the city maintain adequate fund balances both in its general fund and its neighborhood services (sanitation) fund. For years, the ICA has urged the city to improve its collection of sanitation fees, which it repeats in its current report.
The ICA stated all three of these issues as “areas of concern” in last year’s report, as well.
In the current report, the ICA notes that city is on “the cusp” of exiting from Act 47, the state’s program for financially distressed municipalities. However, it’s been prevented from doing so because of ongoing, unresolved litigation involving the city’s former incinerator, which it sold in 2013 as part of the recovery plan from its financial crisis.
Once the longstanding litigation is resolved, the city would be able to quickly exit Act 47, an important step to be able to re-access the credit markets, which it’s been unable to do since entering the program about 15 years ago.
Home Sales, Prices Higher
Harrisburg-area home sales and prices both moved higher in April, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.
For the three-county region, 501 homes sold versus 496 in April 2024, while the median sales price rose to $289,900 from $255,000, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, 253 houses changed hands compared to 227 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price increased to $264,261 from $230,000, GHAR stated.
Cumberland County had 205 home sales, a drop from 227 the prior April, as the median sales price rose to $315,000 from $287,600, according to the GHAR report.
In Perry County, 34 houses sold in April, a decrease of one from the prior year, as the median sales price grew to $292,450 from $230,000, stated GHAR.
The pace of sales slowed in April, as “average days on market” rose to 33 days from 26 days in April 2024, said the report.
So Noted
Hannah Ison last month was named the executive director of the Brewers of Pennsylvania, a statewide trade organization for brewers. Ison has served as the head of brewing operations for Harrisburg-based Zeroday Brewing Co.
Jon C. Stuckey has been named interim president of Messiah University, replacing Kim Phipps, who is slated to retire at the end of this month. Stuckey will serve until a permanent president is appointed, according to the university.
Plants + Pints raised $7,000 for Downtown Daily Bread, a Harrisburg shelter. The check was presented in Strawberry Square, which hosted the day-long festival in April featuring vegetable-based products and local craft beer.
Sycamore Homes last month cut the ribbon on a 23-unit affordable apartment complex at 1400 Sycamore St. in Harrisburg. The $4.8 million project began construction in October 2022 as a partnership of the Latino Connection Foundation and Fernandez Realty Affordable Homes.
William (Bill) Habacivch, a former executive director of Veteran’s Outreach of Pennsylvania, has passed away. Habacivch helped establish the recently opened Veteran’s Grove community in south Harrisburg, also serving as long-time director of the business department at Central Penn College.
Changing Hands
Benton St., 606: G. & C. Hetes to C. Dailey, $145,000
Berryhill St., 1623: A. Pichardo to Unique Homes Group LLC, $145,000
Boas St., 104: R. Wambach to D. Shemory, $225,000
Boas St., 414: Berlin Group LLC to S. & G. Davis, $275,000
Brookwood St., 2117: E. Davis to Puzzle Properties LLC, $75,000
Brookwood St., 2424: R. Patterson to Blessed Investments LLC, $111,033
Brookwood St., 2432: D. Crawford to G and W Rentals LLC, $115,000
Brookwood St., 2445: B. & C. Roach to M. Kernizan, $126,000
Calder St., 215: M. Woolley & L. Evans to VNS LLC, $125,000
Chestnut St., 1200: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,858
Chestnut St., 1202: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857
Chestnut St., 1204: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857
Chestnut St., 1206: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857
Chestnut St., 1208: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857
Chestnut St., 1909: R. Goldberg to Vantage Estate LLC, $140,000
Chestnut St., 1919: K. Brown to GW Rentals LLC, $80,000
Chestnut St., 2116: R. Pattillo to G. & T. Casner, $305,000
Derry St., 2145: R&K Realty Group LP to L. Tiburcio, $180,000
Derry St., 2233: D. & J. DePastino to Soul House LLC, $91,928
Division St., 423: Archie Group LLC to Upscale Properties LLC, $100,000
Emerald St., 232: D&F Realty Holdings LP to Chavdar Jade LLC, $290,000
Emerald St., 627: M. Braxton to Alpha Royal Lounge LLC, $87,000
Evergreen St., 26, 28: 101 S. 17th Street LLC to Penn Me Properties LLC, $112,857
Geary St., 622: D. Peralta to A. Mauricio & Y. Trinidad, $55,000
Green St., 805: J. Cowden & K. Edwards to A. Fontaine, $285,000
Green St., 1207: Arc Realty & Property Management LLC to J. Brenize, $212,500
Hanover St., 1318: B. Rodriguez to E. Forney, $108,000
Harris St., 204: T. Burke to J. & M. Cameron, $259,900
Holly St., 1830: J. Montiel & A. Salgado to R. Vidal, $171,000
Howard St., 1347: Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC to Amazings Rentals LLC, $256,000
Hummel St., 410: M. Hernandez to R. Gutierrez & A. Ortiz, $50,000
Hunter St., 1715: Side by Side 365 LLC to A. Caceres, $149,000
Kelker St., 632: D. Villalona to M. Jobczynski, $143,000
Logan St., 1730: B. & W. Bechtel to C. Fox, $243,000
Mercer St., 2472: K. Dodson to S. Rubinstein & H. Choi, $133,000
Mulberry St., 1160: E. Gonzalez & M. Castro to F. Luciano & D. Canario, $50,000
Mulberry St., 1809: D. & M. Patrick to D. Boyer, $149,900
Mulberry St., 1916: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to BAJ Holdings LLC, $90,000
North St., 1822: R. Burgos & JFDIECIOCHO22 LLC to R. Vazquez, $130,000
North St., 1838: T. Bauserman & J. Hoskins to Breneman Properties LLC, $91,000
North St., 2014: C. Brooks to Famous Achiever LLC, $98,000
N. 2nd St., 404: A. Weinstock to Family Tires V LLC, $435,000
N. 2nd St., 1833: Glanzair Properties LLC to Elite Remodeling Realty LLC, $99,000
N. 2nd St., 1915: Apple Tree Community Development Company to Capital Acres LLC, $322,500
N. 2nd St., 2215: R. Hall to A. & A. Ferguson, $415,000
N. 3rd St., 904: Ramsden & Ramsden LLC to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $390,000
N. 3rd St., 1419: Midtown Development LLC to Heinly Homes LLC, $320,000
N. 3rd St., 3007: V. McCray to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $100,000
N. 4th St., 1719: J. Blymier & C. Fox to C. Corrado, $240,000
N. 4th St., 2611: J. Runion to MDR Homes LLC, $97,000
N. 5th St., 2652: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to J. Holmes, $170,000
N. 5th St., 3135: G&W Rentals LLC to J. Vega, $275,000
N. 6th St., 1716 & 1718: 3N Consulting Services LLC to 1720 N 6th St PA LLC, $85,000
N. 6th St., 1720: 3N Consulting Services LLC to 1720 N 6th St PA LLC, $85,000
N. 7th St., 2624: S. Reid to Kapp Property LLC, $113,000
N. 14th St., 1201: R. Burgos & Doceuno LLC to Bedon Flooring LLC, $105,000
N. 14th St., 1203: R. Burgos & Frdoce03 to Bedon Flooring LLC, $105,000
N. 15th St., 18: Sunnyside RE Enterprise LLC to E. Esh, $190,000
N. 17th St., 56: F. Gomez to My Majesty LLC, $87,000
N. 18th St., 902: S. Marshall & J. Colbertson to W. Renesca, $190,000
N. 18th St., 916: M. Castro to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $88,000
N. Front St., 1101: S. Krevsky to D. Aldous, $260,000
Park St., 1631: E. Torres to Goods Creekside Properties LLC, $80,000
Paxton St., 1700: N. Akhter to Paxton Mart Co., $765,000
Penn St., 2333: Adonis Real Estate LLC to M. & C. Fleming, $155,000
Penwood Rd., 3116: A. Hollinger & E. Shellhamer to G. Haffner, $175,000
Penwood Rd., 3214: R. & S. Holloman to I. Trost, $195,000
Radnor St., 618: M. Temba and C. & J. Liu to D. Glick, $125,000
Radnor St., 672: Rivas Property Investments LLC to N. Chisolm, $155,000
Randolph St., 1614: R. Augustin to L. Chavez & L. Morales, $91,000
Reel St., 2414: J. Ford to C. Woods, $75,000
Regina St., 1810: R. Bedon to A. Perez, $170,000
Reily St., 215: Calders Street Development LLC to Velocity Capital Group LLC, $290,000
Rumson Dr., 2842: R. & D. Bratina to Sunnyside RE Enterprise LLC, $171,000
Rumson Dr., 2983: C. Caraballo to E. Jimenez, $174,000
Showers St., 612: J. Forry to F. & D. Vaughn, $230,000
S. 17th St., 523: Philadelphia Macaroni Co. to Couscous Co. LLC, $4,250,000
S. 18th St., 157: B. Vincent to Blue Trust Investments LLC, $60,000
S. 19th St., 28: M. Slabonik to VTF Dylle Properties LLC, $130,000
S. 29th St., 708: Culcay Remodeling Guagua LLC to C. Lozano, $195,000
S. Cameron St., 1325: M. Khan to J. Finefrock, $52,000
State St., 1414: A. & M. Collins to Aybar Bonilla Investment LLC, $224,900
State St., 1508: Vernon St Apartments LLC to JG Family Trust, $236,000
Susquehanna St., 1336: Green Scapes Investments LLC to E. & R. Clammer, $440,000
Susquehanna St., 2005: D. Witmer to H. Martinez, $230,000
Sylvan Terr., 125: Triple S Real Estate LLC to PACC HBG 2 LLC, $290,000
Verbeke St., 1613: R. Sanchez to A. & D. Bolinger, $220,000
Vernon St., 1348: D. Boyle to Unique Homes Group LLC, $75,000
Vernon St., 1435: Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC to O. & A. Ogunfowora, $159,000
Vine St., 113: C. Friedel to S. & M. McGarvey, $151,000
Walnut St., 1732: A. Lovo to A. Bouhach, $83,000
Wiconisco St., 420: Sky Resort Investments LLC to H. & A. Fisher, $585,000
Wiconisco St., 529: Taylor Made Bizzness LLC to C&C Homes LLC, $80,000
Woodlawn St., 2312 & 2317 Luce St.: Zieger Son Inc. and Zieger & Sons Inc. to 2300 Woodlawn Street LLC, $1,115,000
Harrisburg property sales, April 2025, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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I had family in town recently and, since it was their first time in Harrisburg, I was excited to show them around. My husband Jamar and I took them to several of our favorite spots—Riverfront Park for a stroll, the Broad Street Market for Friday lunch and the Capitol building for the view at the top of the steps.
