Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Harrisburg to use portion of federal COVID-relief funds for public safety building, personnel

Harrisburg City Council’s legislative session on Tuesday

Harrisburg has decided to allocate a portion of its federal COVID relief funds to its public safety departments.

At a legislative session on Tuesday, City Council approved the allotment of about $15.6 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for public safety initiatives and reimbursement for lost revenue during the pandemic.

In total, the city was allotted $47 million in ARPA funding.

Under the bill, $5.5 million will fund the replacement of the HVAC system in the city’s Public Safety Building in downtown Harrisburg. According to Mayor Wanda Williams, the system is antiquated and in need of an upgrade.

“It’s a pricey, but necessary expenditure, as well as a health risk,” she explained at a previous council work session.

Harrisburg will also give $1.2 million in one-time bonuses to uniformed personnel in the Harrisburg Fire Bureau and Bureau of Police. Each staff member will receive a $5,000 bonus.

“The bonuses, I feel, are instrumental because we were considering those at-risk workers during the hardest times of COVID,” said council member Ralph Rodriguez. “If we don’t take care of them, we will continue to lose them.”

Another $8.8 million will be used to reimburse the city for expenses and lost revenue due to the pandemic, which was initially approved as part of the 2022 budget.

Williams announced her proposed plan for the use of the ARPA funds in mid-May, including the items that council approved on Tuesday. Her proposal also includes uses for the remaining funds, such as for an affordable housing initiative and the replacement of the city’s Hall Manor pool with a waterpark. Those projects, among others, will require future approval by council.

“I would really like to hear the full presentation with presence from each of the directors that would be impacted by the mayor’s proposal,” said council President Danielle Bowers. “I would also like to hear from the residents.”

 

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