P
ittsburgh City Council introduced a bill to raise property taxes by 30% to close a projected $30 million shortfall for 2026. Councilmember Bark Warwick said the extra revenue would fund critical upgrades to the city’s emergency fleet, ensuring ambulances stay operational, fire engines remain available, and snow removal can be maintained during winter storms. The hike would add roughly $20 a month for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

    Warwick highlighted the trade‑offs residents face: “We can’t let garbage pickup drop from weekly to bi‑weekly, nor can we leave streets unpaved or shut down senior centers and public pools. These are the hard questions the council must answer.” He stressed that without the tax increase, essential services could suffer.

    Councilmember Theresa Kail‑Smith expressed concern that the timing and magnitude of the hike may be too steep for a city already dealing with rising county, school district, and other taxes. “Our residents are already stretched thin paying bills,” she said. “We need to demonstrate thorough due diligence before committing to such a measure.” She remains hopeful that alternative solutions will surface.

    In addition to the tax proposal, the council is reviewing a potential 5% reduction in each department’s spending plan to help balance the budget. Updates on negotiations and any new proposals will be shared as discussions progress.