Williamsport’s journey towards potentially adopting a home rule charter has commenced with the formation of a Home Rule Study Commission. Following the voters’ endorsement, the commission is set to take its first steps by getting sworn in and organizing initial meetings.
“As far as I understand it, we have 15 days after the results of the election have been certified to hold our first public meetings,” stated Andrew Dincher, a commission member, on Wednesday.
He further mentioned, “A lot of it is still be to be determined as of now. I think we’re planning on getting sworn in the first week of June.”
On the recent Tuesday, the citizens of Williamsport voted in favor of establishing a seven-member commission dedicated to examining the city’s governmental structure. This commission has a nine-month timeline to draft recommendations, which will then be presented for public review and a vote in 2027.
The commission plans to convene every two weeks throughout its tenure, as indicated by the organizers. Dincher expressed a desire for active public participation, stating, “We don’t want it to be like, where we’re just in a room by ourselves, talking about this. We want to have a lot of public input.”
Details of the meetings will be available on their official website, and proceedings will be uploaded to their YouTube page.
Another member, J. David Smith, highlighted that the meetings will adhere to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, ensuring they are publicly advertised, open to citizens, and meticulously documented.
Substantial Support for the Initiative
Election outcomes, as reported by Lycoming County Voter Services, revealed that 64% (1,745 voters) were in favor, while 36% (999 voters) opposed the commission’s formation. This vote was open to all registered city voters, irrespective of their party affiliations.
Understanding Home Rule
Home rule grants municipalities extended powers beyond the standard state law provisions. Key privileges include setting property and personal income tax rates above state limits and altering the local government structure, such as determining the number of council members or opting for a city manager instead of a mayor.
The vote comes during a period of financial challenges for the city, marked by increasing annual deficits. Supporters argue that home rule could offer Williamsport more autonomy in decisions involving zoning, taxation, and public services.
In contrast, critics are concerned about potential changes to the government structure and the risk of increased taxes for residents.
Community Concerns and Next Steps
Smith and Dincher, speaking with WVIA News, shared insights from their interactions with the public, revealing widespread concerns about potential tax hikes. Smith recounted, “I was at the polling places advocating for folks to vote for this, and one of the things that I heard is ‘property taxes, property taxes, property taxes.”
Dincher noted the prevalent misconceptions, stating, “I think there’s definitely a lot of misconceptions out there. I think one of them was that this just means higher taxes.”
The approved ballot question emphasized the transition to Home Rule to boost the city’s financial stability and reduce dependency on property taxes. The city has engaged Public Financial Management (PFM) to assess its finances, which suggests that gaining control over local tax rates through home rule could be beneficial.
Dincher, as a resident, empathized with the taxation concerns, stating, “More taxes is not necessarily something anybody’s super excited about,” while also suggesting that changes like an earned income tax could eventually lower property taxes.
Smith emphasized the commission’s need for an “intensive educational effort” to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their scope and limitations. The commission also plans to hire a consultant for expert guidance.
Dincher concluded, “I think, like anything, there’s going to be some things about home rule that are going to be a net positive, and there might be some things about home rule that are not going to be so great. That’s what this study is all about — just basically trying to find out if this is going to be a good fit for the City of Williamsport.”
The commission aims to make well-informed recommendations, which will be subject to voter approval in 2027. Smith articulated the commission’s guiding principle: “I think it’s going to be on the mind of all the people on the commission to try to make some focused changes that we hope will gain the support of the electorate.”
