Altoona moves forward with distressed city status

Despite public comments of concern and reluctant discussion between officials, Altoona City Council members unanimously decided to approve a resolution for a petition to pursue the Act 47 Distressed Municipalities Program.

In previous workshop meetings, council members said the city’s reserve funds used to balance the budget in previous years were used up, that Altoona is facing a $1.6 million deficit and that the city would be forced to eliminate 40 jobs if it can’t find a long-term solution.

Council member Bruce Kelley told 6News that Wednesday night’s decision was just the first step in a nine-month long process of entering a Distressed Municipality Program, and that they will not enter Act 47 if they are able to find another financial solution in the coming weeks.

“If you look at the last 10 years, we have reduced the staff of the city. I think we’re to a point where we’re really in jeopardy of endangering the city and the residents with continued cuts to the fire department, to the police and public works; frankly to all departments,” said Kelley. “We’re down pretty thin. We many have to do this to keep everything going.”

During a public comment session, during which a neighbor and a firefighter urged Council members not to pursue Act 47, International Firefighters Association Local 299 President Bryson Peterman said that first responder positions would likely be threatened, in comparison to other cities that declared a distressed municipality status, such as Johnstown and Scranton.

“The less firefighters on the job, the increased fatigue rate and the increased injury rates. It’s a safety concern for us and a safety concern for the public,” said Peterson. “Twenty-six municipalities have gone into (Act 47). Six have emerged. None of them are prospering now either. We feel we can help ourselves before the state’s municipal welfare.”

Council members said the Act 47 petition would be sent by the end of the week and that a state-issued consultant will likely spend several days in Altoona to determine if the city of 46,000 residents meets the requirements of a distressed municipality.