York City officials told the Oct. 28 public budget hearing that WellSpan Healthcare’s annual contribution to the city has increased to $1.1 million and that the administration has reallocated portions of that money in the draft 2026 budget to support public health and other programs.

Kim Robertson, the city’s business administrator, presented how the contributions are reflected in the proposed budget. “Out of the $1,100,000 of the WellSpan contribution, there will be 368,000 going towards the health bureau,” Robertson said. She described part of that $368,000 as funding that will help pay the city’s medical director and $250,000 as a direct gap-filler for program needs.

Mayor (unnamed) explained why the administration shifted a larger share of WellSpan funds toward the health bureau: reductions or uncertainty at the state and federal level for public-health grants prompted the decision to shore up health services locally. The mayor said WellSpan’s contribution had risen from $450,000 when the administration began to $1.1 million now.

City staff also clarified the medical director arrangement: Robertson and the mayor said the medical director position is no longer a WellSpan employee but is funded in part by the WellSpan contribution and by other program funds.

Why this matters: The allocation of a private health-system contribution to municipal services affects operational funding for public health programs and can reduce the city’s reliance on other reserves or the general fund. The administration said the change reflects current and anticipated gaps in state and federal reimbursements.

Ending: Budget staff said the distribution of the WellSpan contribution is reflected in the draft numbers and will be revisited as the proposed budget is prepared for council consideration.