Jana Benscoter
pennlive.com
The bulk of Harrisburg’s new spending next year could pay for 21 civilian positions in a newly created Community Services Division within the police department, Mayor Eric Papenfuse said Tuesday.
City council members were shown the proposed 2021 budget for the first time during their legislative meeting. The coronavirus pandemic has affected the budget’s development, but it’s not going to stop the city from moving in a positive direction, Papenfuse said.
The presentation lasted for more than an hour. It included ways in which the city could save money, for example, by switching health care providers, as well as refinancing bond obligations, among other solutions.
For some of the city’s usual revenue, like parking, city officials budgeted either half of what Harrisburg has received in recent years or zero dollars, Papenfuse said. Revenue is projected to improve in two to three years, but he wanted to budget conservatively through uncertain times.
The budget currently stands at spending $136,576,039, while anticipated money coming into the city is $136,584,639. The 2021 plan presented to the council doesn’t include any federal money.
The cost to fund the new 21 civilian positions, as well as two new police positions, is over $1 million.
Police captain (technical services) – $97,734
Police captain (community relations) – $97,734
Director of community relations and engagement – $75,355
Crime analyst – $59,208
2 co-responders – $53,825 each
Technical services manager – $48,443
RMS manager – $48,443
Body camera manager – $48,443
Substation manager – $48,443
Parking enforcement officer – $33,902
12 Community service aide – $42,164 each
“A body camera manager would be able to provide information in a timely manner,” Papenfuse said.
Many of the new civilian jobs are catered toward addressing mental health needs in an effort to keep individuals out of prison, Papenfuse said. The goal of the newly created division is to improve community relationships between law enforcement and city residents.
“This is a major change,” Papenfuse said.
The jobs would be unionized, facilities would be upgraded, and outreach efforts would be aimed at connecting nonprofits, businesses, and residents with law enforcement. Papenfuse said he expects a larger discussion on the policing pitch.
There are a handful of other new jobs to consider, too:
Lein officer – $51,672
Part time cataloger – $36,171
Multi-lingual community services coordinator – $45,213.
Deputy tax enforement administration – $66,743
Confidential secretary – $53,825
Sign shop technician – $47,405
Sanitation supervisor – $64,590
3 Laborer III – $44,639.63
3 Motor Equipment Operator – $50,461.28 each
A slew of Capital Projects is also part of the budget. More than $30 million would be spent on infrastructure in Harrisburg by this time next year.
Budget hearings are scheduled on Dec. 8 and 9, when the proposed 2021 budget will be further discussed. The final vote is expected to take place on Dec. 10.
Council members didn’t ask questions at the end of the presentation.
“There is a lot of information to dissect,” said President Wanda Williams.
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