Two consultants present differing timelines, outreach plans and cost proposals for Williamsport home‑rule study

Two consultant teams presented competing but overlapping approaches to Williamsport’s home rule study, and commissioners asked both firms for written price proposals and budget breakdowns as part of the commission’s next steps.

Kaplan Strategies (Ben Kaplan, Lisa Hagberg and Debbie Grass) outlined a project the firm described as roughly 14 months from education through drafting and administrative code, with an early education period, a mid‑course decision point about whether to proceed and a drafting phase intended to produce voter‑ready language. "We would be committed to communicating and transparency," Ben Kaplan said, stressing an approach centered on public education and safeguards that avoid unintended governance outcomes.

The Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL), represented by Lynn Shedlock and Patty Morehead, described its recent home‑rule work across Pennsylvania and recommended an education phase followed by drafting, totaling roughly 18 months (and about 20 months if the commission chooses to use districts). PEL urged commissioners to weigh election timing carefully: while Kaplan said a May 2027 primary ballot was feasible on a compressed timeline, PEL advised the general election can produce higher turnout and warned the May schedule is tight.

Funding, procurement and next steps

- Funding: Commissioners were told the recommendation for a home‑rule study came from the City’s strategic management planning (STAMP) work, and that DCED grant support typically covers a large share of consultant costs; a transcript statement placed that share at roughly 90 percent (commissioners were told they must follow city procurement and budget rules for grant compliance).

- Procurement and costs: The meeting included a discussion of procurement thresholds; transcript text referenced a local procurement threshold around $23,500 that can trigger additional authorization or procurement steps. Commissioners asked both consultant teams to supply written proposals, a budget worksheet and cost estimates (the firms agreed), and the budget subcommittee will review those proposals prior to the next public meeting.

- Election timing and outreach: Kaplan recommended rapid public education and an aggressive schedule if the commission wants a May 2027 ballot placement; PEL recommended preparing for a full education campaign and suggested the general election typically yields higher turnout. Both firms stressed robust, plain‑language public materials and outreach to civic groups, churches and neighborhood forums.

Quotes and context

Ben Kaplan: "We would be committed to communicating and transparency," about building public education and plain‑language charter drafts. Lynn Shedlock (PEL) summarized PEL’s capacity and recent work: "We are the Pennsylvania Economy League," and traced PEL’s experience with home‑rule projects and education campaigns.

What commissioners asked for next

Commissioners asked the firms for written proposals and cost estimates and asked staff to share a budget template to populate the likely expense categories (professional services, advertising, legal drafting, AV/streaming). The commission formed a subcommittee to review budget proposals and recommended presenting a package to City Council for any required authorizations before expenditures occur.