Allegheny County Council Meeting on 2024-11-19: Budget and Millage Increase Public Hearing

The Allegheny County Council held a regular meeting on November 19, 2024, starting at 10:15 AM. The meeting featured a lengthy public comment period focused on the proposed 2025 county budget, including a 2.2 millage property tax increase to address an estimated $80 million deficit and fully fund the Department of Human Services (DHS). Over 190 individuals signed up to speak, with comments lasting approximately seven to nine hours. Speakers overwhelmingly urged support for the full millage increase, citing the potential loss of critical services. No final votes on the budget were taken during this meeting.

Proclamations and Certificates

• Proclamation recognizing Triangle Bar and Grill's 90th anniversary.
• Proclamation commending Sebastian Tan as a Rise Global Winner.
• Proclamation recognizing Martha Mazarov on her 100th birthday.
• Certificates of recognition for the 2024 Shining Star Gala Awardees.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes from the October 22, 2024 regular meeting (motion carried).
• Receive and file the communication summarizing approved executive actions for October 2024 (motion carried).

Public Comments & Testimony

General Items (Non-Budget)

• Matthew Mahalik (Executive Director, Breathe Project) spoke in support of new Board of Health appointments and urged council to approve permit fee increases for polluters under Article 21. He cited a report estimating soot pollution kills between 640 and 1,300 people annually in Allegheny County, with low-income communities experiencing 33% higher death rates and communities of color 18% higher rates. He emphasized that large polluters like U.S. Steel can afford the fee increases.
• John Kensewitz (jail officer) spoke about the jail staffing crisis, noting that over 60% of new recruits leave due to forced 80-hour workweeks and that officer life expectancy is 61 years versus 77 for the general population. He presented a petition asking for a $1 million line item for double-time pay after 40 hours and two overtime shifts.
• Benjamin Chazar opposed the tax increase, arguing the county should cut spending and focus on core functions. He also opposed the lease renewal for the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park and expressed solidarity with United Steelworkers against the sale of U.S. Steel.
• Julie Zavon spoke against an ordinance requiring citizenship checks on voter rolls, citing data from the Heritage Foundation showing minimal non-citizen voting.

Budget and Millage Increase (Overwhelmingly in Support of 2.2 Mills)

• Stephanie Eason (Human Services Center Mon Valley) urged support for the full 2.2 millage increase, warning that cuts would be catastrophic. She noted that every $1 of county DHS funding leverages $4 in state money, and their programs serve over 1,600 low-income residents across 38 communities.
• Karen Hockberg (Plum Senior Center) highlighted that senior center funding has been flat for 10 years, and without the increase, services would be reduced to basic meal delivery with no wellness checks. She noted nearly 400,000 meals delivered to 2,500 older adults annually.
• Brooke Jenneret (Family Resources) described after-school programs in public housing communities that serve 200 children daily, providing meals, trauma screenings, and social-emotional learning. She read a letter from a staff member who credited such programs with helping her overcome childhood trauma.
• Nick Cotter (property owner) emphasized the state matching funds (1 local dollar unlocks 5 total dollars) and warned that cuts to the Community Violence Reduction Initiative would increase homicides, which cost an average of $17 million each. He noted the current initiative costs $13 million per year.
• Monica Dhuis (Casa San Jose) pointed out that the immigrant population has grown over 80% in the last decade and is the only growing demographic. She urged council to support the budget.
• Kim Collie Eccle (Footbridge for Families) said 75% of her organization's funding comes from DHS, and they prevent financial crises from escalating. Independent analyses show that every dollar of aid results in $122 more earnings over 30 years for recipients.
• Maria Silva (AFN) shared personal stories of family members who benefited from DHS services, including a daughter with bipolar disorder who graduated from Pitt and a son with a rare disorder who survived beyond expectations.
• Reverend Eileen Smith (South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace) described evidence-based violence reduction programs, including a Cure team and Becoming a Man curriculum, which reduced school violence by 50% in a two-year study. She warned of a spike in gun violence if funding is cut.
• Dr. Michael Scarpin (Community Forge, Carnegie Mellon) criticized the prior administration for using COVID funds to mask the deficit and said he would hold accountable any council member who votes against the millage increase.
• Jonathan But (Kids Voice) noted that a 1 mill increase instead of 2.2 would force a $136 million DHS cut, of which only $27 million is county money—the rest is state matching funds that would be lost and reduce future allocations. He also warned of 2,000 job losses.
• Dr. Patrick Cooper (educator) argued that cutting preventive programs is like stopping doctor visits to cut costs; the emergency room is more expensive.
• Michelle Charmelo (MUSA) said without full funding, her after-school program would lose 65 children, 5 full-time and 20 part-time staff.
• Maria (Bloomfield) noted that rent has increased nearly 100% in 10 years while property taxes have not. She supported the homestead exemption to reduce burden on low-income homeowners.
• Lena Andrews (Action Housing) said DHS and economic development funding serves 5,000 people annually, and cuts would be catastrophic.
• Aaron Erb (Just Mediation Pittsburgh) as a homeowner and landlord, said the $15/month median increase is a small price compared to the costs of eviction and unit turnover.
• Elaine Masters (North Hills) shared her personal reliance on food pantries and other services after a traumatic brain injury, stating that human services save lives.
• Dr. Wendy Etheridge Smith (AIU) noted that the AIU administers 10 family centers and 3 out-of-school time programs, serving 4,600 families last year. A cut would mean 3.25 million lost.
• Betsy Farmer (Dean, Pitt School of Social Work) urged that the 1 mill counterproposal would still raise taxes but cut services, making it the worst of both worlds.
• Hunter Bodwell (Auberle 412 Youth Zone) said the program serves nearly 1,000 young people and faces complete elimination if DHS funding is cut.
• Dave Bringen (Sharpsburg Borough Council) highlighted that eviction prevention saves $12 for every $1 spent, based on Philadelphia studies, and that small boroughs depend on a well-funded county.
• Kara Petrovski (Boys & Girls Clubs) said funding supports 7,500 kids across 18 locations, and cuts would increase disparities.
• Yvonne Smith Tapia (JFCS) noted that a 2 million cut would end immigrant services that help 2,500 refugees annually.
• Dr. Helen Collan (Pitt) cited 2023 child abuse fatalities (57 in PA, 8 in Allegheny) and near-fatalities (119 in PA, 13 in Allegheny) to argue for fully funding prevention programs.
• Gabriel Denowdin (412 Youth Zone participant) shared his story of escaping homelessness and abuse through the program, calling it a lifeline.
• Margie Thompson (Rent Help Pittsburgh) chastised council members considering voting no, comparing them to Pharaoh and urging leadership like FDR.
• Laura Chuweens (Pittsburghers for Public Transit) criticized the need for such a hearing and said council members who oppose the increase but claim they won't cut services are misleading.
• John Hanrahan (North Side) urged council not to leave state matching funds on the table.
• Beth Foringer (Cease Fire PA) noted that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and that DHS-funded violence intervention programs have reduced shootings; each homicide costs $17 million.

Opposition to Tax Increase

• Benjamin Chazar (also spoke earlier) argued for cutting spending rather than raising taxes, stating the county should be a limited government focused on core functions.

Discussion Items

• President Katina opened public comment with a statement noting the large number of speakers (almost 190) and the expectation of remarks lasting 7-9 hours. He requested respectful behavior and strict time limits.
• Councilmember Palmasena stated that council has received many calls and emails about the budget. He acknowledged the $80 million deficit and said it is his intention that the 2025 budget be larger than 2024 to avoid job cuts or program reductions. He said not one council member has suggested cutting employees or programs.

Key Outcomes

• The minutes of the October 22, 2024 regular meeting were approved.
• The communication of executive actions for October 2024 was received and filed.
• All appointments (to the Allegheny County Conservation District and the Board of Health) were referred to the Committee on Appointment Review for further consideration.
• An ordinance amending assessment standards (13288-24) was referred to the Committee on Assessment Practices.
• A resolution dissolving the Westport Tax Increment Financing District (13308-24) was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Job Creation.
• No final vote was taken on the 2025 budget or the proposed 2.2 millage increase. Further council deliberation is expected before the December 3rd deadline.