NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
February 1 2005

REED PROPOSES TAX REDUCTION, HIRING ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS

Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced a plan to reduce property taxes for all property owners in the city.

His plan additionally calls for the hiring of 10 additional police officers, 6 additional firefighters, replacement of a portion of the police and fire vehicle fleet, and the replacement of certain public works vehicles, along with covering the city’s matching funds requirement for an upcoming project involving the replacement of the Mulberry Street Bridge Ramp.

The tax reduction, hiring and capital projects would be entirely funded by the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax adopted by City Council in January.

The tax, which replaces the former Occupational Privilege Tax, would generate $2.6 million. Reed proposes that half of it be used for property tax reduction, with the remaining half for the additional public safety personnel and apparatus.

 Spread amongst the 18,328 real estate tax parcels in the city, the tax reduction would equal 9.39% of whatever the property owner is paying.

Reed said the hiring of 10 additional police officers would allow the city to increase its community policing activities, including additional foot patrols during important hours in targeted areas. The additional firefighters would assure that no city fire station would have to be closed during any shift due to insufficient personnel being available.