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Council to hear public comment next week on LERTA extension while staff finalizes revisions

Harrisburg City Council · December 9, 2025

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Summary

Council agreed to move Bill 14 (extending the LERTA tax-abatement program through 12/31/2026) to the legislative agenda and scheduled a public hearing on Dec. 17; staff said revisions require county and school-district review before changes are adopted.

City officials told council that Bill 14 of 2025 would extend the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) statutory termination date by one year to provide time for staff to finish revisions to the program and coordinate with Dauphin County and the school district.

An administration presenter said the draft revisions were developed with a stakeholder committee that included county and developer representation, but the school district has been in transition and asked for more time. The administration scheduled a public hearing (staff said Dec. 17) to solicit community input and expected to continue discussions after that meeting.

Council members expressed mixed views: some said LERTA can attract investment but warned it can discourage current tax revenue in the short term, while others asked for metrics showing whether the program has produced net benefits for neighborhoods or increased tax rolls. Council members stressed the need for broader outreach and wanted more time to review the draft.

The council moved the matter to the next legislative agenda and directed staff to hold the public meeting as announced; the session did not adopt final changes to the LERTA program.