County Council
Proposed ballot question would give council a say on contracts over $30,000.
For 26 years, Allegheny County's executive has had sole authority over county contracts that don't involve property. On May 26, a council member introduced legislation to put a question about changing that on the Nov. 3 ballot. Voters would decide whether council must approve contracts over $30,000, except in emergencies. For now, council has referred the proposal to its government reform committee.
Written by Amy Whipple
Come Election Day, residents may have the opportunity to change who has a say in Allegheny County’s contracts.
In the 26 years since Allegheny County transitioned from a commissioner-based system, the executive has had sole authority over contracts not involving property transactions.
Council Member Alex Rose of the South Side Slopes introduced legislation during the May 26 meeting to place a referendum on the Nov. 3 general election ballot to address that perceived imbalance. It would ask residents if the county code should be amended to require council to approve contracts over $30,000 except in emergency circumstances.
The proposal’s rationale says that putting “hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars within the sole discretion of a single individual is fiscally unwise, and invites at least the perception of a lack of transparency.”
The legislation also says the executive’s contractual commitments create tension with council, which is responsible for the annual budget.
Currently, council must be notified of new contracts prior to, or contemporaneous with, their execution. Rose’s legislation states that the requirement has never been systematically followed. Rather, council receives a report of the executive’s actions the previous month.
Council referred the legislation to the government reform committee.
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