Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and County Council Budget Chair Robert Palmosina have jointly agreed on a compromised budget agreement that will result in a 1.7 mill increase and a balanced budget for 2025.
In addition to the 1.7 mill increase, they have agreed to the following principles for a 2025 budget:
- No layoffs of County employees
- No cuts to County public safety departments or public works
- Fully funding Department of Human Services (including contributions from the County that will fully draw down every available State matching dollar)
- Preserving funding for Emergency Rental Assistance and childcare programs that support working families
- Replenishing the County reserve funds to a serviceable level
- A commitment from both the Administration and Council to work together through 2025 to continue to identify efficiencies and ensure long-term financial sustainability
The budget also makes important investments in education, transportation and economic development by fully funding CCAC, PRT, and ACED programs for Main Streets, blight removal, attracting new companies, workforce development, first-time home buyers, and affordable housing.
“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 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 understands 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 Palmosina.
County Council will meet tonight and will vote on the budget.