PITTSBURGH \u2014 Pittsburgh City Council members remain divided over how to close a $20 million budget gap, with options including raising taxes, cutting services or a combination of both.<\/p>\n
Dozens of residents spoke during a rare weekend public hearing Saturday, voicing concerns about the city\u2019s proposed budget for next year.<\/p>\n
Some speakers pushed back on the idea that council faces only two choices.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the city council are going around, saying to the media that the only choices are to raise taxes or slash social spending,\u201d one resident said.<\/p>\n
Others warned that a property tax increase would have downstream effects on renters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know what happens when property taxes go up. Rents go up. Landlords pass the cost to tenants every single time,\u201d another speaker told council.<\/p>\n
The deficit has raised concerns about whether the city can continue funding essential expenses, including public safety overtime and utility bills.<\/p>\n
City leaders are split on how to move forward.<\/p>\n
Councilperson Barb Warwick is proposing a 30% property tax increase without cutting services.<\/p>\n
She told Channel 11 she hopes council members vote on some form of revenue increase.<\/p>\n
At the podium, Warwick urged council to focus on targeted cuts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suggest that you need to be more aggressive in cutting programs that do not harm working people,\u201d one person said.<\/p>\n
Public comment reflected a wide range of opinions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some residents said they would support a tax increase if essential services are protected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Others argued nonprofits should contribute more.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s only one realistic and long-term solution to the revenue crisis that the city has, which is to make the nonprofits pay their share,\u201d one speaker said.<\/p>\n
Council must pass a budget by Sunday, giving the mayor the required 10 days to review it before Dec. 31.<\/p>\n
Councilperson Theresa Kail-Smith said cost-cutting options still exist.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we need to go through this budget, see where we can cut back, and don\u2019t tell me there\u2019s not, because we just saved eight million,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Two meetings are scheduled for Sunday, one for a preliminary vote on the budget at 11 a.m., followed by another for the final vote at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n
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