Williamsport council approves housekeeping code updates and tax-abatement extensions; files public works minutes

Williamsport City Council on Feb. 27 approved a set of routine legislative and procedural items, including the annual codification of ordinances, amendments extending property tax-abatement programs and the filing of public works minutes.

On final reading the council approved an ordinance to codify recent ordinance edits and component code changes for the city; council described the measure as an annual housekeeping action. The vote was 6-0.

The council also approved two separate ordinances amending property tax-abatement provisions: one for industrial and commercial properties and one for residential properties. Valerie Fessler said the industrial/commercial amendment’s primary purpose was to extend the program expiration date through Dec. 31, 2026, to align with the Williamsport Area School District and a county ordinance, and noted the city will no longer accept “pre approval applications” as part of a paperwork change. Fessler said, “In the time that I have been in this position, we have received 7 applications, both residential and commercial, including Wawa and the new residential complex that Hutchinson is working on. We're also working with Habitat for Humanity for exemptions for their new build.”

The residential abatement amendment was discussed as part of the same package; councilmembers said there were no substantive changes beyond those already covered and it passed on final reading. Votes recorded were 6-0 for the codification ordinance, 6-0 for the industrial/commercial abatement amendment and 7-0 for the residential abatement amendment.

The council also voted to file public works committee meeting minutes from Nov. 5 and Dec. 5, 2024; that procedural motion passed 6-0.

Recorded votes for these items were entered on the record using members’ names during roll call. The meeting then moved to announcements and adjournment.