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Harrisburg committee forwards fifth proposed 2025 budget reallocation, including SRTA shortfall and police overtime shift
Summary
The budget and finance committee reviewed Resolution 62, a proposed fifth 2025 budget reallocation with four line items: Parks & Rec revenue adjustment, a $420,000 reclassification to police overtime, an unusual prior‑year revenue refund entry, and an increased local match for transit support tied to SRTA.
Harrisburg’s budget and finance committee reviewed Resolution 62 on Feb. 20, a proposed fifth 2025 budget reallocation containing four line items that staff said are intended to address current revenue and expenditure estimates.
Finance staff told council the changes are: (1) a $10,000 anticipated revenue increase in the Parks and Recreation fund, with $5,000 added to services and $5,000 to supplies; (2) a reclassification of about $420,000 from regular salaries to the Bureau of Police overtime line to avoid a negative overtime balance; (3) an unusual prior‑year revenue refund related to the Bureau of Codes, described in committee as an increase of $39,505,105.50 to cure a negative and provide a $10,000 cushion; and (4) an increase to the city’s local supporting match for Capital Area Transit (Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority) of roughly $31,223 to update an earlier estimate of $376,000 to a finalized commitment of about $407,000.
Bob Kenick, finance director, and staff said the Parks and Rec revenue change reflects staff’s anticipation of stronger event contributions. Councilmembers asked whether the $10,000 would be realized; staff said the $10,000 Parks projection is based on department estimates and that the larger cushion referenced by staff was associated with the general fund footnote.
On police overtime, staff explained that overtime spending is difficult to estimate at budget time and that current usage has pushed the overtime line toward depletion; the reclassification shifts budgeted amounts between salary lines to prevent a negative overtime balance.
For the large prior‑year revenue figure, Kenick characterized it as an atypical outlier: a refund or recognition of prior‑year inspection and permit fee revenue. He provided the figure as stated in staff materials; no further documentation was presented in the committee discussion. Councilmembers asked for clarification and staff confirmed the entry is intended to correct a negative in current fund balances and provide a modest cushion.
Committee members also discussed a timing difference that produced the $31,223 shortfall for the SRTA local support payment. Staff said the city pays the local support on a quarterly basis and has paid three quarters to date; the reallocation would make the 2025 estimate consistent with the finalized commitment letter.
During discussion council members asked about stadium construction change orders and state reimbursement. Staff said the stadium project has experienced change orders (including moving a restroom that required plumbing work) and that a proposed $600,000 reallocation would cure a current negative within the project fund; staff also said the city holds a RACP grant for up to $6,000,000 and that reimbursement timing from the Commonwealth is uncertain.
Committee members asked for continued updates and one requested a presentation from the stadium construction manager about progress, minority business enterprise (MBE) and women‑owned business (WBE) participation, and project status. With questions addressed, the committee moved Resolution 62 to the next legislative session for formal consideration.
