Property taxes in Allegheny County will go up in 2025.
County Executive Sara Innamorato and County Council Budget Chair Palmosina have agreed on a compromised budget agreement that will result in a 1.7 mill increase and a balanced budget for 2025.
The vote will require 10 yes votes out of the 15 County Council members. That vote will take place on Tuesday evening.
Innamorato initially pushed for a 2.2 mill increase on property taxes 4.73 to 6.93 mills), but was met with strong opposition from Council.
A committee in council had a budget plan that included a 1.35 mill increase, (4.73 to 6.08 mills).
Innamorato’s plan would’ve raised property taxes by over 46 percent. This new plan is around a 36 percent increase.
In a statement, Innamorato’s office says that no county employees will be laid off, no cuts to public safety or public works and a full funding of the Department of Human Services.
“I’m pleased that we reached a negotiated budget with Council leadership. The agreed upon budget will begin to chip away at the fiscal challenges we inherited from the previous administration. In addition, it will avoid layoffs, fully fund critical services and programs that the people of Allegheny County rely on and puts the County in a stronger position to meet long term obligations," said County Executive Innamorato. "Even at this level of millage increase, I want to be transparent that we are balancing the budget, not creating a windfall for the County. We will have to manage the budget carefully to maintain long-term fiscal health and my administration is committed to work with Council and departments to find efficiencies in 2025 and increase transparency, so taxpayers understand where their money is being spent. But with this agreed upon budget, the County will be in a strong fiscal position to manage upcoming labor negotiations and other future fiscal challenges. I also want to thank the thousands of residents and organizations who reached out and voiced their support and concerns about the County budget to my office and Council. Your voice was heard, and we worked to reach a fair resolution for everyone.”
“I am pleased to bring this 2025 budget process to a close in a manner that provides for no layoffs of county employees, increases funding for law enforcement and public safety personnel, and maintains services for the residents of our county. I want to thank my colleagues for their flexibility and understanding during this fluid process. And I also want to thank our staff and Executive Innamorato and her team for all of their work during this long and difficult process,” said Chairman Palmosina.
Allegheny County councilman Sam DeMarco is not happy with the proposed budget increase
DeMarco tells Marty Griffin Tuesday night’s meeting will be interesting.
“I’m certainly going to make my points as far as raising hell, if it’s a done deal, it’s a done deal,” said DeMarco, adding he believes Innamorato’s administration has been “disingenuous”.
DeMarco says 70 people are scheduled to speak tonight against the original proposed 2.2 mill increase.