# Harrisburg City Council Work Session - 11/2/2026


**Body:** The City of Harrisburg - WHBG20
**Date:** November 01, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Public Safety, Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure


Harrisburg City Council work session, November 2, 2026: Council discussed a proposed year-end budget reallocation that would shift funds among general-fund personnel and related expense lines, with no net increase to the general-fund budget. The presentation identified about $1.5 million from police personnel lines and about $1 million from other departments as sources for increases including police and fire overtime, pension obligations, medical claims, and liability settlements. A separate $15,000 request for the Harrisburg Area Police Athletic League’s baseball program could be covered by existing appropriations, so no budget transfer was needed. Council also reviewed a proposal to auction surplus city property through auctioneer Cordial; historically significant Harrisburg items were set aside for retention. No final votes were taken during the work session; several items were recommended for a future legislative-session agenda.

Other spending and development matters included a proposed grant application for restoration of the Sunken Garden in Riverfront Park, with accessibility, safety, lighting, landscaping, and potential space for local vendors among the concepts discussed; the grant was described as having no match requirement. The Bureau of Fire had applied for a $20,000 state grant for a fitness center and storage improvements at Fire Station 2. Council also reviewed preliminary/final land development plans for a 38-unit apartment conversion at 110–112 North Second Street and a proposed 138-room hotel conversion at 333 Market Street. The hotel team estimated 100 construction jobs and 30–40 ongoing jobs, and discussed engaging local and minority contractors, but said no construction contract had been awarded. The council also considered transferring dog licensing to Dauphin County and ending unenforced cat licensing requirements; public comment raised questions about license funds and support for feral-cat care, as well as concerns about proposed Paxton Creek flood-map changes.

**Source:** The City of Harrisburg - WHBG20