Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato presented last night what she called a "fiscally responsible budget" to County Council members.
It calls for a property tax hike of 46.5 percent which Innamorato says will close an $80 million deficit.
She claims it would increase property taxes by $15 a month at for homes at the median value.
Innamorato also wants to offset the increase for low income homeowners by increasing the homestead exemption.
“Increasing it to $21,000 up from $18,000 and the last time it was raised was 2013,” said Innamorato.
Innamorato's budget calls for a 3 percent increase in spending.
She says the county has been doing what it can to cut costs, but with federal COVID money disappearing and other factors, they are facing a lot of challenges.
“I’m looking forward with all of you and having the opportunity to dig into this budget and review it over the next several weeks,” said Innamorato. “I want to hear your recommendations but I also want to hear your solutions to the challenges that I pose.”
Council member Sam DeMarco asked about what efficiencies the county can find. She says they're not ruling out asking some departments to do more with less.