ABC27 WHTM Could Harrisburg merge with neighboring communities?

Could Harrisburg merge with neighboring communities?

A lot of people have a lot of ideas about how to help solve Harrisburg's financial crisis. One possibility that's not gotten a lot of attention is a merger-- Harrisburg joining forces with a neighboring community.

The state-hired Act 47 team is weighing the option. When its recovery plan for the capital city comes out in a couple months, the team could suggest it or recommend against it.

Wednesday was Harrisburg's 220th birthday. A lot has changed over the years and the capital city, as we know it, could be changing again.

The Act 47 team has been asked by the state to produce the following:

"An analysis of whether the current and projected future economic conditions of the city are so severe that it is reasonable to conclude that the city is no longer viable, and should consolidate or merge with an adjacent municipality or municipalities."

Harrisburg has five neighbors in Dauphin County, including Penbrook.

"They are in a much worse financial condition than our own borough here and I don't see what they could offer us that would entice us to enter into any type of merger," Penbrook Mayor Ken Cramer said.

Harrisburg Controller Dan Miller thinks the city is still economically viable, though he does support regionalization.

"We could have one municipality with one governing body," Miller said. "That would be much more efficient and less costly and it would make sense. Often, that's the way it's done in other states in the country. Pennsylvania is very backward on this."

Consolidation is no simple task. It would require cooperation among local leaders and support of residents. The question would need to appear as a ballot referendum.

The Act 47 contract also calls for an evaluation of public safety in the city, and perhaps partnering with an outsider to provide service.

Penbrook, again, isn't quite sold on the possibility.

"We would need to be compensated justly, plus, Penbrook Borough, Penbrook residents, that comes first," Cramer said. "if it would be too taxing on our police or our fire services to have to put time in the city too, we'd have to look at that."

abc27 News has obtained a copy of the Act 47 team's contract with the state.

It's a $988,000 agreement, with some team members pulling in $250 an hour. It's also a bill that all Pennsylvania taxpayers are helping to pay.