Topic
City Council
Pittsburgh is spending the last of its American Rescue Plan Act aid, which the controller said masked the city's spending problems. On June 24, she reported a $44.6 million operating deficit for 2025, the first year since 2020 without that aid. The city pulled $33.8 million from rainy-day savings to cover it. Still, state law limits how the city can raise revenue.
City Council
A proposed city tax on amusement devices, such as poker machines and claw machines, would exempt Rivers Casino. It could bring in $2 million to $3 million a year. On May 27, a council member said the city ran a deficit last year and may run another this year. A public hearing hasn't been scheduled yet.
City Council
Pittsburgh's Fourth of July celebration could get bigger with a $630,000 foundation grant. On May 18, council voted to move forward with accepting it. Part of the grant would go to fireworks, raising the display budget to $350,000. So far, council hasn't discussed how the rest of the money will be spent.
City Council
A city website lets residents set budget priorities and see what their taxes pay for. On May 11, council advanced a $13,000 request to extend the tool, Balancing Act, by a year. A city official said how much residents use it depends on promotion. Meanwhile, the acting budget director said the city is building its own version to save money.
County Council
Downtown Pittsburgh now has its first playground and public restrooms, County Executive Sara Innamorato told council on April 28. In her quarterly address, she said NFL Draft prep gave the region a deadline for permanent projects. She named Arts Landing and the renovated Market Square among them. A countywide cleanup also removed 7.3 million pounds of debris, she said.
County Council
None of the hearings on a proposal to reassess property every three years are in Pittsburgh. On April 28, a county council member pointed that out and urged holding one within city limits. Another member asked for an online session, saying the evening schedule would be prohibitive for some. Still, council's chief clerk said any added hearings would need council approval.
City Council
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Bank could split more than $55,000 in federal pandemic money. On April 29, council gave the plan preliminary approval. The money came from groups that couldn't use it in time or had finished their projects. Any remaining grant money must be spent by June 1.
City Council
Drainage problems can stop play on city-owned youth baseball and softball fields. Now, a $300,000 Pirates Charities grant will cover upgrades, such as laser grading, at about 20 fields. On April 20, council also advanced a laborers' union donation for scoreboards at 10 fields. The city is still finalizing which fields will get the upgrades.
City Council
Police and public works overtime for the NFL Draft will cost about $1.8 million, the acting budget director estimated. On April 20, council advanced a $2 million VisitPittsburgh grant to cover approved costs like those. Still, a council member noted the city will collect only parking tax from the event. The finance director said the city might break even.
City Council
A $5 million University of Pittsburgh grant could fund parks, Main Street programs, public safety facilities, and more. On April 20, council advanced the grant, which is paid over five years. Proposed spending will go into the capital budget for council approval, the chief of staff said. Still, a council member asked for extra spending reports, citing concerns about city trust funds.
City Council
Snow removal contractor A. Folino Construction still hasn't detailed its $481,320 bill to the city. On April 15, council put off approving the invoice for another week. A council member said the public should know what the bill covered, since it's one of the larger ones. The acting public works director said he'd seek details, but Folino hadn't responded.
City Council
The Bloomfield Pool, the city's second most used according to a council member, relies on a long-closed recreation center. A $400,000 federal grant to study the center expires June 30, and a bill would spend it on demolishing condemned houses. On April 15, council held that bill for a week. Meanwhile, a council member asked the budget office to look for longer-term funds.
City Council
The city's healthcare trust fund is insolvent, the budget director said. Three months into his term, Mayor Corey O'Connor wants $28 million more in 2026 spending, partly to restore it. On April 8, council rejected a member's amendments to keep $4 million for new emergency medical vehicles. Next, a public hearing is set for Tuesday, with a final vote Wednesday.
City Council
Between 60 and 90 explosive-detection dogs from 18 municipalities and agencies could be working the NFL Draft. On March 25, council agreed to bring them in, barring visiting municipalities from immigration enforcement while in the city. However, four participants are federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Council didn't discuss whether the city could enforce the amendment with them.
City Council
Council members say outreach for Pittsburgh's comprehensive plan has favored some neighborhoods over others. Now a $750,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments means the city won't have to cancel the plan. The mayor's chief of staff shared that concern and said the city plans one meeting per council district. The plan is projected to be done by summer's end.
City Council
Pittsburgh police use license plate software that can track a car's travel history and routes. On March 18, a council member flagged an invoice for it, calling its data-sharing policy possibly too vague. That policy lets the city share data with outside agencies, which the administration told her excludes the federal government. Still, council approved paying the invoice.
City Council
During the late-January snowstorm, 37 city plows broke down in one night. On March 18, council put a proposed new-vehicle fund on hold for six more weeks. A council member sought the delay because the mayor plans to reopen the 2026 budget. Meanwhile, the city spends about $400,000 a month on repairs, a budget official said.
City Council
Street vendors and peddlers may soon pay one $135 city license fee, plus extra to get the same spot every day. The new schedule combines fees from three city departments. The finance director said it's revenue neutral and will make permits easier to get before the NFL Draft. Council has given preliminary approval and is scheduled to vote next week.
City Council
Some North Shore light poles are coming down to make room for NFL Draft crowds, the city's technology director said. One holds a crowd monitoring camera that the city wants atop a garage by the stadium during the event. On March 11, council gave preliminary approval to that and two no-cost space deals, including a warehouse for police training.
City Council
Half of the city's electricity comes from renewable sources, and it costs less than the national average, officials said. Now council has advanced a six-year contract with Enel X, which advises the city on when to buy energy. The request says it comes at no added cost to the city. The current contract runs out March 31.