Pittsburgh Councilwoman Barb Warwick plans to introduce Tuesday legislation that would raise real estate taxes by 30%.
Warwick and her colleagues have raised concerns the 2026 budget proposed by outgoing Mayor Ed Gainey is unrealistic and does not account for all of the city’s expenses.
Officials have said they will need to increase revenues or cut costs — or a combination of both — to keep the city afloat next year.
“This is something no elected official wants to do, but it is the responsible thing to do,” Warwick, D-Greenfield, said Monday in a press release.
“Times are tough for everyone right now, but after 11 years without a tax increase, the city needs additional revenue in order to keep providing the core services that our residents deserve and depend on.”
Warwick’s measure would raise the millage rate to 10.48 from 8.06. A mill represents $1 in taxes for each $1,000 of property value.
The tax hike would generate an estimated $41 million more for the city each year, Warwick said.
A resident whose home is assessed at $100,000 would pay an additional $20.17 a month, Warwick said, or just over $242 per year.
Currently, a Pittsburgher living in a home of that value pays about $806 in real estate taxes annually.
“For years Council has had conversations about long-term budget concerns without taking any action to rectify the problem,” Warwick said in a statement. “And with our large nonprofits refusing to step up and pay their fair share, we simply can’t put it off any longer.”
A public hearing on the proposed tax increase is scheduled for December 22. Council must approve a budget by the end of the year.