Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams has filed a lawsuit against the city council to block the defunding of four key staff positions. The lawsuit, filed in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, seeks an emergency injunction to halt the council's decision, which overrode the mayor's vetoes on the 2026 budget amendments. These amendments cut funding for the city's business administrator, director of building and housing development, project director for business development/LERTA administrator, and director of community relations and engagement.
Mayor Williams argues that the council "improperly exercised its power" by defunding these positions, effectively terminating the staff members at the start of the year. She claims that this action violates state law and causes "irreparable harm" to the city's ability to provide services. Specifically, the lawsuit highlights the necessity of the business administrator role for negotiating union contracts with the police.
The council maintains it acted within its authority, stating that it did not fire anyone and that the mayor is responsible for letting the staff go. The lawsuit cites the Strong Mayor-Council Plan A form of government in Harrisburg, which gives the mayor the power to enforce ordinances and remove department heads, while the council controls the budget.
Both parties have expressed openness to mediation, which could offer a quicker and less costly resolution. However, the mayor's spokesperson noted that statutory positions were cut, leaving no alternative but litigation. The lawsuit also mentions that the mayor can reopen the budget and make amendments before February 15, if an agreement with the council can be reached.
The legal teams involved include Renardo L. Hicks, Michael McAuliffe Miller, and Renee C. Mattei Montgomery representing Williams, while Casey Alan Coyle and Morgan M. Madden represent the city council. The court has recommended mediation before proceeding to a judge.