An Allegheny County Council committee voted 5-2 Tuesday to advance two charter amendments that would ask voters whether to remove long-standing restrictions on council’s budget and access to county-funded benefits.
If approved by voters, the amendments would eliminate existing Home-Rule Charter limits on County Council’s spending authority and member benefits. The measures would not automatically increase council funding or provide new benefits but would allow council to pursue those changes through future legislation.
The proposals now head to the full 15-member council, where a majority vote and a signature from the county executive is required to place them on the November ballot.
Budget cap proposal
One amendment would ask voters whether to repeal a charter provision that limits County Council’s annual operating budget to 0.4% of the county’s locally levied tax revenues.
Supporters say the cap restricts council’s ability to hire and retain staff, secure legal and consulting services and operate independently from the county executive.
“We have a cap on how much we can be funded, which is different than what we actually get appropriated each year. So, what this referendum question is — it doesn’t increase our budget, all it does is it eliminates the cap,” said Bethany Hallam, D-at-large.
Hallam added that council could later set a new cap or adjust its budget through future legislation if voters approve the change.
Opponents raised concerns about removing the limit.
“My concern is an unlimited (cap), and I understand that it doesn’t automatically mean that we would get more money, or that this council, in particular, would go crazy and do nothing,” said Suzanne Filiaggi, R-Franklin Park. “But my constituents are concerned about the unlimited nature of it.”
John Palmiere, D-Baldwin, also questioned how the proposal would be perceived.
“We just raised taxes,” Palmiere said. “If anybody’s really reading this, first thing you’re going to think: ‘these people just raised my taxes, now they want an unlimited expense.’”
Benefits and staffing proposal
The second amendment would ask voters whether to eliminate charter restrictions that bar council members from receiving county-funded personal staff, district offices and fringe benefits, including health insurance, life insurance and pensions.
Supporters argue the restrictions leave council at a disadvantage compared with the county executive and row offices and weaken its ability to function as an independent branch of government.
Committee chair Dan Grzybek, D-Bethel Park, said the limits can also discourage people from seeking office because council positions are effectively part time.
“I put in a good 20 to 25 hours a week, that’s on top of a 40-hour full-time job,” Grzybek said. “Not having access to health care through this position dissuades a lot of people from pursuing it.”
Nicholas Futules, D-Verona, raised concerns about both proposals, including how they might be perceived by the public following last year’s tax increase and the possibility of council members hiring personal staff.
Who is in support
The Government Reform Committee is chaired by Grzybek and includes Palmiere, Filiaggi, Futules, Bob Palmosina, D-Pittsburgh, and at-large members Bethany Hallam and Alex Rose.
Filiaggi and Futules voted against both measures.
The proposals are sponsored by Grzybek, Hallam, Rose, Palmosina, Jordan Botta, D-Bloomfield, Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, D-Moon Township and Pat Catena, D-Carnegie.
If approved by the full council, the measures would appear on the November ballot for voter consideration.