Harrisburg council approves raises for commissioners; changes one meeting time

Changes are coming to the Harrisburg City Council in 2023 in the form of an altered meeting schedule and monetary raises for its members.

The raises will not go into effect until after the new board is seated following the April 2023 election.

Commissioners last week approved an ordinance that will see council meetings, currently held at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month, change slightly in schedule. Beginning in January, the meeting scheduled for the third Thursday will begin at 8 a.m. to allow attendance from some who might not be able to attend during the evenings.

"If there's a new council member, they might not be able to attend" on that schedule, Commissioner Roger Angelly noted.

Mayor John McPeek said a future council could change the schedule again if it deems it necessary.

Also, commissioners approved raises for the mayor and council members that will take effect with the seating of the next council in May 2023. Pay for the mayor will increase from $750 to $1,000 a month; $500 to $600 a month for council members; and $150 to $200 for the liquor commissioner.

Commissioner Rupert Johnson voted against the pay increases.