Why did Columbia Borough officials downplay a formal police proposal to cover Wrightsville?

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

A resident's question at a January Columbia Borough Council meeting triggered a search for answers that led to the discovery of a document that was kept from the public and council members. 

At the January 27, 2026 meeting, resident Sharon Lintner asked officials about a bid proposal submitted by the Columbia Borough Police Department to Wrightsville Borough for police coverage services in Wrightsville.  

Officials either said they were unaware of such a proposal or downplayed its existence. 

 

Council President Eric Kauffman replied that he was unaware of the proposal. Mayor Leo Lutz said that the matter was discussed with Wrightsville but there was "nothing official" and no correspondence and no monetary figures were mentioned. "We didn't even talk money," Lutz said. 

Councilman Ethan Byers said there was no formal discussion, and Councilman Kelly Murphy said it was nothing more than a phone conversation. Lutz added that the exchange had occurred about two years ago and called it "old news.” Lutz also said that no written correspondence had ever been sent to Wrightsville Borough. However, Wrightsville officials told Lintner that a proposal existed, and a meeting had taken place with officials of both boroughs at Columbia Borough Hall.

Troubled by the inconsistent answers, Lintner submitted a records request to Wrightsville Borough. The document obtained shows that the Columbia Borough Police Department had indeed submitted a policing services proposal to Wrightsville Borough, contradicting statements by borough officials. The document, Policing Services Proposal to Wrightsville Borough, is dated April 15, 2025 and bears the official logo of the Columbia Borough Police Department. 

The proposal, which was discussed at the November 3, 2025 Wrightsville Borough Council meeting, stated that full-time police services to Wrightsville would include response to calls and proactive patrol and enforcement for 2026.

 From the Policing Services Proposal to Wrightsville Borough

The proposal included a detailed cost breakdown based on a per capita formula. Using Columbia's 2025 police budget of $3,963,732 divided by Columbia's population of 10,222, the department arrived at a per capita cost of $387.76. Applied to Wrightsville's population of 2,257 residents, the total annual cost of coverage came to $875,174.32.

From the Policing Services Proposal to Wrightsville Borough

The proposal also included a 2025 Columbia Borough Police Department staffing chart, showing the department's organizational structure under the Chief of Police. The department at that time consisted of four sergeants overseeing a total of ten patrolmen, two corporals, one part-time patrolman, one detective, one drug task force officer, eight crossing guards, three part-time enforcement officers, a Coordinator of Services, a full-time and two part-time Community Service Aides (CSA), and an administrative assistant.

At the February 24, 2026 borough council meeting, Lintner once again raised the issue, but some councilors still seemed unaware of the proposal. Police Chief Jack Brommer finally admitted sending the proposal to Wrightsville. "I submitted the numbers," Brommer said. "When council was saying they weren't aware, I think they weren't aware of the actual proposal — the initial proposal that was submitted — but council was aware through discussions we had with them previously."

An email from Wrightsville Borough to Lintner provided information on proposals from other departments that were requested by Wrightsville for police coverage for 2026 and are shown below:

• Columbia Borough Police Department – $875,174.32
• Hellam Township Police Department – $450,000.00
• York County Regional Police Department – $557,000.00

Ultimately, Wrightsville contracted with the Hellam Township Police Department. 

At the March 10 council meeting, Lintner said, "I want to be able to trust those people that I helped to elect and the people I turn my money over to," Lintner said, adding that if her question had been answered promptly, she wouldn't have had to submit a Right-to-Know request.

This article is based on statements made at the January 27, February 24, and March 10, 2026 Columbia Borough Council meetings and documents obtained through a Right-to-Know request submitted to Wrightsville Borough.