ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato has unveiled her first budget proposal, which includes a staggering 46% increase in property taxes. If approved, this would mark the first property tax hike in the county in over a decade. However, many homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes, are expressing concern about the timing of this increase amid current economic challenges.
“It’s going to cost you more and more money out of pocket,” said Julie Welter, a real estate agent with Compass. Welter emphasized that the proposed tax increase will have a significant impact on all homeowners, especially seniors who may struggle to pay an additional $200, $400, or even $800 annually.
Currently, Allegheny County’s property tax stands at 4.73 mills for individual homeowners. The new proposal aims to raise it to 6.93 mills. For example, a home assessed at $110,000 would see an increase of approximately $182 per year in property taxes. However, with the average home value in the county at around $260,000, homeowners could face a nearly $400 increase.
Innamorato stated that the tax increase is essential to address a growing county deficit of $81 million. “The county has been running a deficit for the last several years. While county reserve funds and federal COVID relief were able to fill the growing deficit since 2021, those options are exhausted. Since the county hasn’t had a millage adjustment since 2012, we have not adjusted revenues to meet what the county has been spending for years and needs to continue to spend to deliver the essential services people rely on us for,” she explained.
Welter acknowledged the county’s financial situation but believes alternative solutions could ease the tax burden on residents. She suggested that the county sell blighted homes that have accrued unpaid taxes. “The city owns them, and they aren’t selling them, so I think that the easiest way to unburden taxpayers, because we are all paying for those homes, is to sell them and get new homeowners,” Welter remarked.
She warned that if no action is taken, county residents could face a double whammy: first with the tax increase and then with a county-wide reassessment that might inflate the values of many homes.
Local residents echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over the proposed increase’s timing. “I believe that the council and the county should budget better,” said Shane Callahan. “I think it’s a really rough time right now because no one is actually making more money,” added Chelsea Hoffman, another resident.
There will be three public budget meetings scheduled before the council vote in December, allowing residents to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the proposed tax increase.
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