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City councils

Pittsburgh Mayor Delivers 2021 Budget Proposal Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto has presented his proposed 2021 Operating and Capital budgets to City Council, totaling $564 million, which does not include tax increases and aims to avoid layoffs and furloughs of City personnel. The city has been forced to spend nearly its entire $120 fund balance due to COVID-19, and is seeking federal aid to help pay for services and safety during the ongoing pandemic. The mayor's speech highlighted the challenges the city faces, including a decline in tax revenues and the need to address inequitable systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2021 Operating and Capital budgets proposed by Mayor Peduto total $564 million, with no tax increases included.
  • The city has spent nearly its entire $120 fund balance due to COVID-19, forcing it to seek federal aid.
  • The mayor's speech emphasized the challenges the city faces, including a decline in tax revenues and the need to address inequitable systems.
  • The city has made tough decisions, such as closing public events, pools, senior centers, and recreation centers, to mitigate the spread of the virus.
  • Mayor Peduto declared that Black Lives Matter, acknowledging the pain expressed by neighborhoods that have been threatened by exclusionary and inequitable systems for generations.

Statistics:

  • The proposed 2021 Operating and Capital budgets total $564 million.
  • The city has spent nearly $120 million of its fund balance due to COVID-19.
  • The city is seeking federal aid to help pay for services and safety during the ongoing pandemic.
  • The city has a $120 million fund balance that it has been forced to spend due to COVID-19.

Sources:

  • Mayor William Peduto's press release (November 9)
  • The City of Pittsburgh's press releases (available at https://pittsburghpa.gov/press-releases/press-releases/)

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