Hearing Scheduled on City of Harrisburg's Act 47 Application

News provided by

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Oct 06, 2010, 03:50 ET

City Officials, Interested Parties Encouraged to Attend, Provide Testimony

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will hold a public hearing on Oct. 20 regarding the City of Harrisburg's request to be deemed "financially distressed" under Act 47.

The hearing will give city officials and other interested parties an opportunity to present testimony about the city's request for a determination of municipal financial distress. DCED received the city's application for relief under Act 47 last week.

Within 30 days of the hearing, DCED Secretary Austin Burke will rule on the city's request. If it is determined that the city is financially distressed under Act 47, a coordinator will be appointed to work with the city to prepare a financial recovery plan.

If the request is approved, Harrisburg would become the 20th Pennsylvania municipality to be active in the state program.

Act 47 of 1987 directs the commonwealth to provide oversight and develop a formal partnership with cities that are experiencing financial distress to ensure that taxpayers receive vital services. Pennsylvania's oversight includes fiscal management, technical assistance, planning and financial aid, with emphasis on long-term fiscal management improvements, service delivery efficiencies, intergovernmental cooperation, and economic/community development activities.

The public hearing will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Harrisburg Government Center, 10 N. Second St., Harrisburg. Individuals requiring special accommodations to attend the hearing should contact DCED at least five days prior to the hearing.

For further information on the hearing, contact Fred A. Reddig, (888) 223-6837, 4th Floor Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

For more information on the resources available for local governments experiencing financial distress, or additional information on Act 47, visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact: Jamie Yates, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development