Council rejects proposed pay increases for mayor and council in 2-5 vote

Harrisburg City Council on Dec. 23 defeated Bill 15 of 2025, a proposed ordinance to adjust compensation for the mayor and elected officials, with a recorded vote of 2 in favor and 5 opposed.

Bill 15 was introduced and discussed during the meeting after members expressed procedural concerns about handling multiple bills on the floor. Councilwoman Davis proposed an amendment to set the 2026 mayors salary at $90,000 and councilmembers at $22,250; that amendment failed on a 1-6 vote during the amendment phase.

Councilwoman Ross explained her opposition to raises at this time, saying shed received "an overwhelming amount of emails from my constituents who feel there should be no raises" and that residents want limited increases while the city addresses blight and other operational problems. Councilman Jones said his "no is still the same" and described process concerns. President Hill said the legislation originated with the mayor and stated she opposed a raise while listing immediate operational priorities such as blighted properties, lighting, and downtown revitalization.

The final roll call recorded Miss Davis and Miss Green as the two votes in favor; five members voted against the ordinance. The council recorded the final tally as Bill 15 failing 2 to 5. President Hill noted disappointment that Mayor Williams was not present to discuss the bill at the work session. "We knew what we'd signed up for when we decided to run for public office," Hill said as she explained her no vote.

Because the vote was a rejection of the compensation ordinance, no salary changes were enacted. The discussion produced several motions and an amendment that would have set lower, measured increases; those motions were rejected by the council.