Allegheny Co. Council President: Property tax increase dead on arrival

The Allegheny County Council president says Sara Innamorato’s proposed property tax increase is dead on arrival.

A proposed property tax increase in Allegheny County likely does not have the votes to pass as currently constructed.

Council President Pat Catena tells KDKA Radio's Marty Griffin the proposed tax increase doesn't have enough support.

“Five of my colleagues, including the general budget committee, who will be working on this with the administration along with all of my colleagues on County Council to see what we need to do to cut, the five of my colleagues have already gone out publicly against it and more have expressed reservations to me privately,” said Catena, a Democrat.

Council must approve the proposal with a supermajority, meaning 10 of the 15 members must approve.

When the proposal was announced, it was estimated the owner of a home with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay $15 a month more in property taxes.

But Catena told KDKA Radio's Marty Griffin not many homes in his district fit that example.

“There are homes like that out there, but for a majority of County residents, it’s going to be more than what they’re saying,” said Catena.

He thinks it is time for the county to look at budget cuts and that a tax increase could be in the future, but not that over 46 percent proposed increase.