City voters to decide on government study commission, possibility of home rule
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL FILE - Hazleton City Hall is seen on May 21, 2021.
HAZLETON – Voters in Hazleton will decide if the city should consider a change to its form of government in Tuesday’s election.
City Council passed an ordinance in January to place a question on the ballot regarding the establishment of a government study commission.
While primary elections are usually restricted to the two major parties, all voters in the City of Hazleton can vote on the ballot measure.
The city previously established such a commission in the 1980’s and moved to the Optional Plan B under the Third Class City Code.
The commission, if enacted, will consider whether a home rule charter or an optional plan should be adopted by the city.
The process is similar to the one undertaken several years ago by Mahanoy City borough, the first municipality in Schuylkill County to establish a home rule charter.
One of the major reasons for a move to a home rule charter is a state-established limit on earned income tax municipalities can collect.
The Pennsylvania Economy League cited the removal of that limit as a benefit for Mahanoy City when the borough considered the move. Under state law, municipalities can collect up to 1% and half is given to the school district.
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