Harrisburg council approves new director role after heated debate over salary transparency
Residents questioned the logic of adding a six-figure position to a city budget already strained by high administrator pay, but aldermen argued the role merely formalizes existing funding for the Chamber of Commerce.
By Layla Richardson ·
The Harrisburg City Council voted 3-0 to create a new Director of Community and Business Engagement position on Monday, approving the role after a contentious public comment period. Alderman Kevin Larson was absent from the vote. The decision follows a lengthy discussion where residents challenged the city's communication regarding the new salary structure.
City Administrator Amanda Mack described the new role as a hybrid position that integrates the executive director function of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce under the city's administrative umbrella. She explained that the move allows the city to provide benefits and support staff to the role while keeping the Chamber's board and finances separate. The city will enter into a services agreement with the Chamber for the executive director work.
Chamber Chairman Jared Langenstein supported the arrangement, stating it allows the board to maintain oversight while increasing collaboration. The advertised salary range for the position is between $78,000 and $124,000. A memo attached to the agenda indicated that the position will be funded by monies the city has historically given to the Chamber, ranging from $68,000 to $73,000 annually, plus a portion of the city's third-penny tax.
During public comment, resident Stuart Oster raised concerns about the optics of adding another high-paying position. He noted that City Administrator Amanda Mack earns $241,000 and Deputy City Administrator Heath Voneye earns $212,000. Oster argued that the public was not provided with enough clear information to understand the benefits of the new role, asking, "Do we need another six figure salary?"
Aldermen Pete Wodzinski and Chris Kindt responded by asserting that the city was not incurring significant new costs. Kindt stated that the city had been paying the Chamber's director for years and that the new structure simply formalizes that expense. He criticized some residents for reading only parts of the agenda documents and ignoring the attached job descriptions, which detailed the compensation and duties.
Benjamin Merrill expressed frustration over the difficulty of contacting council members to ask questions. He suggested that the new role appeared to be an extra responsibility skirted by the administrator, citing the administrator's vehicle and salary as factors in the public perception. Wodzinski countered that residents have a responsibility to stay involved and contact city hall directly for information rather than relying on online commentary.
Mack sought to lower tensions by acknowledging the importance of clear communication. She asked residents how the city could do better, stating, "We strive to be transparent and timely.. but we're also human." The mood improved, and the discussion shifted to past funding requests and ongoing communication challenges between the city and the Chamber.
Wodzinski encouraged residents to attend meetings and ask questions, noting that the new hire would help tackle some of the workload. The council approved the position's creation and authorized staff to begin advertising the role, concluding the agenda item after more than 30 minutes of discussion.
