Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Allegheny County Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at approximately 5:00 PM, with 13 members present. The main agenda items included the presentation of the FY2027 comprehensive fiscal plan by the county executive, introduction of bills including paid parental leave and a resolution supporting striking IBEW workers, and extensive public comment on paid parental leave. The meeting lasted several hours and included multiple roll call votes.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the August 18, 2026 regular meeting (14080-26) were approved by voice vote.
• Minutes of the August 25, 2026 regular meeting (14081-26) were approved by voice vote.

Proclamations & Certificates

• Four proclamations were read into the record: celebrating the 47th annual powwow of the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center (14076-26), recognizing the Clariton Public Library grand opening (14077-26), congratulating Brianna Rogers as 2026 Junior Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania (14078-26), and congratulating Laura Power as 2026 Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania first runner-up (14079-26).

Public Comments & Testimony

Paid Parental Leave (proposal to amend Article 24 of the Health Department regulations):

• Armin Samai (District 10, Friendship) expressed strong support, urging passage and calling it a "slippery slope" in a positive sense.
• Sarah Fishbein (Executive Vice President, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania) spoke in favor, emphasizing the historic opportunity and broad community support; noted two-thirds of comments favor the policy.
• Harry Luler (Mount Washington) opposed the current proposal, offering his own alternative plan (mother receives workers' compensation, father receives unemployment compensation) and criticized the media and politicians.
• Billy Heilman (President, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers) supported the policy, arguing that school district opposition is misplaced and that the policy provides needed guardrails for workers.
• Mindy Kinney supported paid parental leave and also raised concerns about poor housing conditions in low-income properties.
• Michael Jarrett (representing American Sustainable Business Network and Pennsylvania Sustainable Business Network) urged a yes vote, citing research showing revenue and profit growth for businesses that offer paid leave.
• Justine Hackemer (on behalf of Ohio River Valley Institute) read a letter supporting the policy, citing economic analysis predicting 2,744 to 5,000 additional workers and $100-215 million in wages annually.
• Amy Green (small business owner, integrative wellness clinic) expressed support for paid parental leave in concept but opposed the current regulation, arguing it unfairly burdens small service businesses with part-time staff; requested a higher employee threshold (50 instead of 15) and a publicly funded program.
• Jessica Orledge (Swissvale) strongly supported the policy, sharing personal experience with unpaid FMLA and expressing hope to brag about Allegheny County's leadership.
• John Graf (Ben Avon, business owner) opposed the implementation, calling it "economically illiterate" and harmful to small businesses and government entities; advocated for a publicly funded system.
• Sarita Milligan (Mt. Oliver) supported paid parental leave, citing benefits for bonding and maternal mental health.
• Camilla Rivera Tinsley (Executive Director, Women and Girls Foundation) spoke in favor on behalf of 30+ public health organizations, highlighting maternal health and infant mortality crises.
• Kelly Bender (tax and accounting firm owner, real estate in county) opposed the mandate as written, arguing it penalizes growing small businesses and could drive them out of the county.

Other Public Comments:

• Annie McCoy spoke about UPMC's decision to remove transgender youth healthcare access, requesting a budget line item to support gender-affirming care.
• Catherine Dickey (social worker, disability rights advocate) raised concerns about threats to disabled people, including cuts to community-based services, measles outbreaks, and lack of paid parental leave as a threat to newborns; invited council to engage with disabled community.
• Jacob Poole (Edgewood) alleged widespread human trafficking of Eastern Europeans through church networks in Allegheny County, calling for documentation via Pittsburgh 311 and Pennsylvania CrimeWatch.
• Jade Wyant (speaking late in meeting) supported paid parental leave, reading from a union letter about how the policy would create a floor for workers.

Discussion Items

FY2027 Budget Presentation: County Executive Sarah Innamorato presented the FY2027 comprehensive fiscal plan. Key points:

• No new taxes and no layoffs requested.
• Proposed operating budget increase of 4.7%, but including one-time costs (e.g., $10 million for 2010 bond issuance, $21 million to draw down state DHS and juvenile probation funding), the effective increase is 2%.
• Majority of the 2% increase goes to boosting worker wages.
• Cost drivers: tariffs (gasoline, diesel, road salt), pharmaceuticals for Kane and jail residents (projected $1 million increase), federal cuts to Medicaid and other programs.
• Revenues: sales, hotel, and drink taxes up; property revenues flat post-pandemic.
• Cost savings: changes to employee health plan, closing 150 vacant positions, refinancing debt, centralizing IT and HR.
• Investments: Main Street Allegheny, site development, child care, housing and trail development, Schumann Center.
• Introduction of paid parental leave bill (sponsored by Chief Executive).

Council questions and responses:

• Councilmember Katena asked about hiring slowdown – response: no hiring slowdown, but closed vacant positions and deliberate hiring.
• Councilmember Grisbeck asked about pension deficit – executive acknowledged $100 million annual deficit but said solution requires state action, not a "performative" line item; discussions ongoing with state delegation.
• Councilmember Hallum questioned CCAC contribution – executive stated contribution is at record high and believes they are in compliance; councilmember disputed, noting legal requirement of 33% of operating budget (~$122 million) and that only $33 million is budgeted, leaving a $7 million shortfall. Executive deferred to CCAC president for comment.
• Councilmember Hallum also asked about jail budget cost increases – executive noted Jail Oversight Board efforts, population manager, and working with courts to reduce population and costs.
• Councilmember Rose asked about new revenue sources – executive cited the "Ford with Families" initiative (child care slots funded via block grants and philanthropy) and airport advertising opportunities.
• Councilmember Walton asked about rainy day fund drawdown – executive confirmed no drawdown; instead contributing to maintain Moody's and S&P ratings, recovering from a $140 million deficit inherited in first year.
• Councilmember Walton also asked about Medicaid/Medicare cuts anticipated in 2027 – executive said yes, planning for impacts on DHS, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment; Director Jutka implementing holistic recovery approach.
• Councilmember Walton asked about property reassessment court order – executive said no money in this budget, but likely funded through bonds over next five years.
• Councilmember Klein thanked executive for paid parental leave effort, noting committee consideration on October 8 and full council vote expected October 20.

Introduction of Budget Bills:

• The four budget bills (tax levy, operating budget, grants budget, capital budget) were introduced by the Chief Executive and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee after a voice vote to accept.

Resolution Supporting IBEW Local 29 (14084-26):

• Sponsored by multiple councilmembers, the resolution supports resolving the collective bargaining impasse between Duquesne Light Company and striking IBEW Local 29 workers.
• Motion to waive second reading passed on roll call (15-0).
• Discussion: Councilmember Bada (former IBEW member) urged Duquesne Light to negotiate in good faith. Councilmember Grisbeck noted the strikers' demands focus on safety conditions, not just pay. Councilmember Fatulis announced a rally on October 7 at 1 PM.
• The resolution was approved on roll call (15-0).

Other New Business:

• Ordinance 14082-26: Amending assessment standards for tax-exempt entities entering PILOT agreements; referred to Committee on Assessment Practices.
• Ordinance 14083-26: Ratifying revisions to Article 24 of Health Department rules on paid sick leave and introducing paid parental leave; referred to Committee on Health.

Key Outcomes

• FY2027 budget bills were introduced and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee for further review.
• Ordinance 14083-26 (paid sick/parental leave) was introduced and referred to the Committee on Health; public comment will continue on October 20.
• Resolution 14084-26 supporting IBEW Local 29 passed unanimously (15-0) after waiving second reading.
• Proclamations were read into the record and accepted.
• Meeting minutes from August 18 and August 25 were approved.
• Public comment on general items was heard; additional comment will be accepted on October 20.