Council advances 2026 operating budgets and first-reading tax increase; council cites one-time fixes

Williamsport City Council advanced the city’s 2026 operating budgets in a first reading on Dec. 4, 2025 and held a separate first reading to fix the 2026 tax rate at 17.55 mills. Both measures passed in voice/roll-call votes at the meeting’s conclusion of their respective items.

Miss Livermore, presenting the budget ordinance, told council "the millage we have in there is 17.55." Council members said the package relies on a combination of a half-mill tax increase, operational cuts and one-time reserve use to bridge an estimated $3 million shortfall. Councilwoman Meeley warned councilors that the package included substantial one-time moves: "we will be $1,400,000, not in the red, but we will have lost that from our fund balance," and said roughly $750,000 of capital spending was trimmed to achieve the half-mill increase.

Council discussed technical adjustments, including a $25,000 overtime addition for the Streets department that raised that overtime line from about $60,000 to $85,000. Members also thanked consultant PFM and staff for work on fiscal strategy and noted a final PFM report is due in January.

Why it matters: Council described the package as a bridge strategy that buys time while the administration and council pursue longer-term revenue changes such as adopting home rule or identifying sustainable revenue sources. Leaders said further adjustments are likely at the second-reading stage.

Next steps: The budget and tax-rate ordinances will return for additional review and a second reading before final adoption.