The Allegheny County Executive has proposed a 2.2 mills property tax increase to accommodate for a balanced county budget.

If the millage increase does not pass, over $135 million would be cut from the Department of Human Services, with a $14 million cut to OST programming.

Update as of November 27:

The County Council has proposed a 1.35 millage increase in response. The County Council is proposing to cut $21 million in spending on the Department of Human Services. The county would spend $4 million less than budgeted under Innamorato’s proposal but would also fail to qualify for a $17 million match in state funds.

What Does This Mean?

Without the millage increase, implications from the proposed 2025 operating budget for Allegheny County will negatively impact young people in Allegheny County, their families, and the larger community. 

Families rely on the OST programs that are financially supported by the county’s budget to be a safe place for their children afterschool and to enrich their social and emotional well-being and provide a path for positive outcomes later in life.

Without OST programming, almost 6,000 youth will not have the opportunities that are proven to support their positive development & outcomes. 

APOST is committed to sharing information, coordinating resources, and advocating for the Department of Human Services and OST programs in the proposed budget. Several resources have been compiled to help understand the budget approval process and what is needed to happen to secure funding for these programs.

Whether personally or on behalf of your OST organization, APOST encourages you to learn, share, and advocate before the vote on December 3. Keep reading to learn more about the process, what you can do to voice your support for DHS and OST, and how to take action.

LEARN

The budget for 2025 must be passed by Allegheny County Council by Friday, December 6 with a vote taking place on December 3. A two-thirds majority (10 votes) is required to pass the millage increase. Watch this video from the Department of Human Services for an overview of the budget process.

The Budget Process

The County hasn’t increased its property tax rate for over a decade – and now it has a structural deficit in its operating budget. There’s been no change in the County property tax rate since 2011, even though operating costs have increased. Allegheny County has been running on a structural deficit since 2021. Until now, this deficit was offset by $600M in pandemic relief funding that is ending.

County Executive Innamorato has proposed to save our county services by increasing the property tax rate by 2.2 mills in 2025. This rate change will ensure the County can continue delivering critical services that residents depend on while impacting the median Allegheny County home by just $15 per month (for owner-occupied residences). OST is supported through the Department of Human Services. DHS is primarily supported through state and federal funds which the County is required to “match”, so every $1 in reduced County funding requires an approximate $5 overall cut to the Human Services budget.

The Value of OST Programs in Allegheny County

Lack of funding from the county equates to lack of access to quality OST programming and without OST, it creates lost parental income, business losses, and lost tax revenue. Demonstrating this economic investment, the state’s recent passing of the BOOST funding legislation that allocated $11.5 million to OST programs is a testament to the need and value of OST programs for positive youth outcomes. The Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission released a report in 2021 that estimates for every $1 spent on OST programs, there is an almost $7 return on investment in Pennsylvania. 

SHARE

Watch the video below to hear from OST Leaders at the November 19 County Council Meeting speak in support of funding for OST programs.

  • Dr. Karen Dreyer, APOST

  • Michele Charmelo, MUSA

  • Dr. Wendy Etheridge Smith, AIU

  • Brian Mack, Open Door Outreach Center 

  • Kathi Elliott & Denise McGill-Delaney, Gwen’s Girls

  • Alex Madrid & Rosamaria Cristello, Latino Community Center

On November 14 & 15 the Department of Human Services held briefing calls for providers. In case you missed these briefings, you can watch the recordings below.

ADVOCATE

What Can I Do?

  • Urge your County Council Members to support the 2.2 millage tax increase by calling or emailing your County Council Member and telling them to SAY YES on 2.2!

    Use this email and call script for guidance on what to say to your councilperson. Call the County Council’s main number (412-350-6490) directly to share your OST support.

    You can find contact information for individual County Council Members below.

  • You can sign up to give public comment now, either written or in person.

    Use this Council Testimony Toolkit to prepare & consider what comments to share.

  • Share your message on social media! Use artwork and messaging from this Social Media Toolkit.

  • Are you in a leading role at your organization? If you are authorized to sign on behalf of your organization, contribute to this sign on letter for OST organizations.

  • Explore more of these resources from Allegheny County DHS with their Advocacy Resource Toolkit & this OST Call to Action Toolkit for families from Allies for Children.

How Do I Know Who to Contact?

There are several ways to find out! To know which Council Member you should contact:

See Council Member’s contact information below.

County Council Member Emails

Have you taken action in response to the 2025 Proposed Budget? Help us keep track of efforts & respond to this quick survey!