Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center
Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams has reversed many of City Council’s changes to the city’s 2025 budget, amendments that she says were “targeting the administration.”
At a press conference on Monday, Williams announced that she had vetoed most of council’s budget amendments, most of which would have eliminated or lowered raises for employees.
“These vetoes are not decisions I made lightly,” Williams said. “They are rooted in the principles of operational efficiency, sound policy and fairness to the hardworking individuals who serve our city every day. Unfortunately, the amendments made by City Council fail to uphold these principles and I cannot in good judgment allow them to stand that way.”
According to city Communications Director Mischelle Moyer, Williams signed off on the majority of the about $142 million budget, but line-item vetoed most of the amendments council had approved on Dec. 17, following extensive budget hearings.
Williams said that the amendments council made “undermine the values and the functionality of our city government.”
The amendments council had made included denying raises to several positions in the office of the mayor, saying that role responsibilities didn’t justify raises. They also eliminated a raise for the deputy director of treasury, expressing frustration that the office hours were limited.
Williams vetoed both of those changes, restoring previously proposed raises.
Additionally, council had made changes that lowered numerous other proposed raises for city employees. They also eliminated about 10% of the salary for the interim director of building and housing development, the portion that is funded by the city, the rest of which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Council also cut all funding for the director of community relations and engagement position in the police bureau, saying the position had been vacant and was not needed.
Williams also vetoed those changes.
“Denying them fair and measured raises, especially during a time of inflation, sends a demoralizing message to the public servants who dedicate their careers to this city,” Williams said.
Lastly, Williams vetoed a budget amendment made by council to allocate $10,000 to fund the hiring of two part-time advisors for council’s youth commission. Williams said that she believed that was a misallocation of city funds that could be used elsewhere.
“Instead of targeting the administration that keeps our city running, I charge City Council with exercising the fiduciary management that they promised the people of Harrisburg that they would execute when they took office,” Williams said.
Council President Danielle Bowers issued a statement shortly after that opposed Williams’ vetoes and re-enforced council rationale for amendments.
“You have no interest in working together with Harrisburg City Council,” Bowers said in the statement, addressing Williams. “If you were interested, you would understand our rationale behind the thoughtful amendments that were voted on to amend Bill 7-2024, the ‘2025 Annual Budget for the City of Harrisburg.’”
When reached by phone, Bowers told TheBurg that while council does have the power to override a mayoral veto, that would need to take place before the end of the year. Because council doesn’t have time to advertise an emergency meeting, which is required by law, they could not hold an emergency meeting, she said.
Bowers also said that the budget could be reopened in January, but that would have to be done by the mayor.
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