Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a 2025 budget that holds the line on taxes, avoids layoffs and trims spending, though officials have warned that the plan may not cover the costs of public safety overtime.
Council approved a $665.6 million operating budget and a $120.6 million capital budget.
Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, D-West End, was the lone no vote.
Over the last two months, Kail-Smith criticized Mayor Ed Gainey for proposing to reduce the number of budgeted police officers. She accused him of “dismantling” the police bureau.
Gainey touted the budget as one that maintains core city services, despite declining revenue and the ending of federal covid-19 relief money.
The 2025 spending plan includes new civilian positions for the police bureau, additional litter inspectors, $1.2 million for a new automated red light enforcement system and a 3% pay bump for most city employees.
City Council made only minor tweaks to Gainey’s budget proposal despite raising concerns over proposed cuts to overtime pay for first responders and Department of Public Works personnel.
Kail-Smith Tuesday said she was uncomfortable supporting a budget that cuts the amount of money budgeted for public safety overtime.
The police bureau has spent about $18.6 million on overtime this year, according to Controller Rachael Heisler — but the 2025 budget allocates just $15 million for that expense.
Similarly, the 2025 spending plan proposes to slash overtime budgets for fire, EMS and Department of Public Works employees.
Heisler in a letter Monday to council members said the “most-likely scenario” is that the city’s budget allocations for overtime pay to public safety and public works employees fall short by $12 to $15 million next year.
“Without proactive adjustments, the city risks depleting reserves or shifting funds from other priority areas,” she wrote.
Kail-Smith also knocked plans to cut the police bureau’s mounted unit and reduce the chief’s salary, amendments made to the budget last week.
The spending plan cuts the number of budgeted police officers to 800 from 850, reflecting struggles to recruit and retain officers.
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Most officials agree the bureau’s ideal size is 900 uniformed officers. As of last month there were 719 sworn officers plus 64 recruits.
Related:
• Pittsburgh council gives preliminary OK to Gainey's 2025 budget
• 'Mission remains the same': Gainey focuses 2025 budget on boosting core services
• As Gainey prepares 2025 Pittsburgh budget address, some wonder how realistic his plan is