Committee advances four appointments to city boards for council confirmation

The Administration Committee on Wednesday moved to forward four board appointments for formal consideration at the next legislative session.

Resolution 27 of 2026 would appoint Patrick D., a Harrisburg resident and multi-property owner who said he has worked in construction and property management since 2015, to the Building and Housing Code Board of Appeals. Patrick D. told council he would recuse himself from cases involving his properties: "If there was ever an issue with any of my properties or my projects, I would just have to, you know, excuse myself," he said.

The committee also heard introductions from candidates for the License and Tax Appeal Board. Steve Ketterer described his background as a longtime city employee in the Tax and Enforcement Office and said he could apply his ordinance knowledge to the board; the council indicated he would take the seat vacated by Stacy Bassor with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2027. Dan A. Shudler, a long-serving board member, described prior hearings and said he intends to ensure impartiality in tax appeals.

Council members asked about potential conflicts of interest and whether appointees had relevant code or tax experience; candidates and councilors repeatedly noted recusal as the remedy for cases involving personal interests. With no outstanding questions, the committee moved the four resolutions to the next legislative-session agenda for formal vote.