Allegheny County Council Meeting – October 8, 2024

The Allegheny County Council met on October 8, 2024, with 13 members present. The primary agenda item was the presentation of the 2025 Comprehensive Fiscal Plan by County Executive Sara Inamorado, who proposed a 2.2-mill property tax increase—the first since 2012—along with a $3,000 increase in the homestead exemption. The meeting also included multiple proclamations, routine approvals of bridge condemnation ordinances, and one public comment concerning mental health staffing at UPMC Western Psychiatric.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Motion to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2024 regular meeting passed unanimously.
• Unfinished Business – Economic Development: Two LERTA resolutions (Clairton and Brentwood) were approved unanimously (14-0).
• Unfinished Business – Public Works: Five ordinances authorizing condemnation for bridge replacement and a lateral support project (Fallen Timber Run Bridge, Greensburg Pike, Beam Run Bridge) were each approved unanimously (14-0).
• New Business – Communication: A summary of approved executive actions for September 2024 was received and filed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Hobdy (registered nurse, Union Vice President at UPMC Western Psychiatric) urged council to support efforts to compel UPMC to invest in behavioral health inpatient capacity. He stated that half of his 42-bed unit is closed due to nurse shortages and that UPMC has closed units for children and autism/developmental disabilities, leaving only one specialized unit open. He asked for pay parity with nurses at other UPMC hospitals.

Discussion Items

• 2025 Comprehensive Fiscal Plan Presentation: County Executive Inamorado presented the proposed budget, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, a 3% increase in spending, and a 2.2-mill property tax increase (a 46.5% increase from the current 4.73 mills). For the median assessed home value of $110,400, the increase equates to $15 per month. The budget also includes raising the homestead exemption from $18,000 to $21,000, the first increase since 2013. The executive cited a structural deficit since 2021, the expiration of federal COVID relief (ARPA), declining commercial property valuations, and rising costs (e.g., rock salt up 26%, bridge construction up 20–30%, asphalt up 50%). She noted that reserves would be drawn down by $33 million in 2024 and that without action, reserves could be fully depleted in two years. The proposed budget would restore the fund balance to approximately $101 million by the end of 2025, still below the recommended $140 million.
• Council Questions and Debate:
  • Councilman DeMarco calculated that a $260,000 median sales-priced home would see a $572 annual increase, more than double the $15/month figure. He pressed for austerity measures and efficiency gains, noting that renters would also bear the increase through higher rents.
  • Councilman Grisbeck clarified that assessed values (not market prices) are used, and that the $15/month figure accounts for the homestead exemption increase. He asked about the projected surplus, and Budget Director Tim Cox confirmed the budget would produce a $33 million surplus in 2025, bringing the fund balance to $101 million.
  • Councilwoman Hallam asked about additional relief for low-income homeowners and the status of countywide property reassessment. The executive stated that reassessment would not solve the structural deficit, is tied up in litigation with Pittsburgh Public Schools, and would take years to implement. She noted that reassessment is revenue-neutral for the county but that the current system is broken and needs statewide reform.
  • Councilman Patolis raised concerns that a tax increase followed by a future reassessment could compound burdens on homeowners, even if the county adjusts millage to be revenue-neutral.
• Introduction of Budget Bills: Following the presentation, the council introduced five bills (an ordinance setting the tax levy, an ordinance increasing the homestead exemption, and three resolutions adopting the operating budget, capital budget, and grants/agency fund budget) all sponsored by the Chief Executive. Council President Katina noted that members had only just received the documents and encouraged public engagement.

Proclamations and Certificates

• Recognized John Vahoski (retirement from Treasurer’s Office after 35 years).
• Proclaimed October 7–11, 2024 as Digital Inclusion Week, with remarks from Jennifer Blatt of the Greater Pittsburgh Digital Inclusion Alliance.
• Recognized Standing Firm on its 15th anniversary, with Megan Rose speaking about supporting survivors of domestic violence in the workplace.
• Additional proclamations were read into the record for Angela Farido (Labor Woman of the Year), Thomas McIntyre (Labor Man of the Year), DeWitt Walton (Father O’Malley Social Justice Award), CADA’s 34th anniversary, Dr. Janice Brooks, Duquesne McKeesport Lodge #731, Quinlan Reynolds (Eagle Scout), and Regis Powers (retirement from Treasurer’s Office after 41 years).

Key Outcomes

• Proposed Tax Increase: The county executive will seek a 2.2-mill property tax increase for 2025, representing a 46.5% increase in the millage rate. The homestead exemption would rise to $21,000.
• Budget Adoption Timeline: The five budget bills were introduced and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee. The council will hold hearings and public comment, with a final vote expected in the coming weeks.
• Unanimous Approvals: All 14 votes on the consent calendar items (minutes, LERTA resolutions, bridge condemnations, and executive actions) were unanimous.
• Public Engagement: Council President Katina urged residents to provide input via email or public comment on the proposed budget and tax increase.