Proposed Pittsburgh 2017 Budget: No Tax Increase; Large Improvements (sales, school)

[eschaton]

I think it bears mentioning on the city side taxes just aren't that high. They're above the median, but there are probably dozens of municipalities in the county where residents have a higher tax burden than the city.

For income tax, Pittsburgh has a 3% tax rate, versus 1% for most suburbs. But this is mostly high because of income tax for Pittsburgh Public Schools, which is 2%. The income tax on the municipal side is only 1%, which compares unfavorably to most suburban municipalities (which are 0.5%). But many top municipalities in the county (O'Hara, Mount Lebanon, Upper Saint Clair) have municipal side taxes which aren't much lower (0.8%). Other municipalities, like Bellvue and Whitehall, have the same income tax rates, while Penn Hills and Duquense have higher rates.

For property tax the numbers are starker. Pittsburgh's mill rate of 8.06 just isn't that high. It's not only dying mill towns which have higher mill rates either. Pittsburgh's rate is lower than places like Dormont, Castle Shannon, Brentwood, and Munhall. Yes, the new-construction suburbs in the North Hills have much lower mill rates. But they don't have the legacy costs of crumbling old infrastructure and a far worse retiree to active employee ratio.

[sealie]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I think it bears mentioning on the city side taxes just aren't that high. They're above the median, but there are probably dozens of municipalities in the county where residents have a higher tax burden than the city.

For income tax, Pittsburgh has a 3% tax rate, versus 1% for most suburbs. But this is mostly high because of income tax for Pittsburgh Public Schools, which is 2%. The income tax on the municipal side is only 1%, which compares unfavorably to most suburban municipalities (which are 0.5%). But many top municipalities in the county (O'Hara, Mount Lebanon, Upper Saint Clair) have municipal side taxes which aren't much lower (0.8%). Other municipalities, like Bellvue and Whitehall, have the same income tax rates, while Penn Hills and Duquense have higher rates.

For property tax the numbers are starker. Pittsburgh's mill rate of 8.06 just isn't that high. It's not only dying mill towns which have higher mill rates either. Pittsburgh's rate is lower than places like Dormont, Castle Shannon, Brentwood, and Munhall. Yes, the new-construction suburbs in the North Hills have much lower mill rates. But they don't have the legacy costs of crumbling old infrastructure and a far worse retiree to active employee ratio.

And 9.84 to the school district, or am I missing something?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by sealie

And 9.84 to the school district, or am I missing something?

No, you're not missing anything. School taxes are high in the city. But PPS is a completely separate governmental entity from the City of Pittsburgh. Peduto and City Council have absolutely no say in its budget or policies. So citing PPS tax costs to claim that "the City" needs to get its taxes under control is kind of ridiculous.

[sealie]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I didn’t say it made you lazy, I said I was too lazy to pick up more litter than I currently do. Imagine though if everyone just picked up the litter on their street. I do it before I tie up my last trash bag that I set out for pickup. Takes all of 5 minutes. I am not talking about being on your hands and kneads picking up cigarette butts, but rather the trash that others toss. It would make a huge impact.

FYI...there is human excrement on the streets of San Francisco, right on the doorstep of million dollar homes. I am not saying we settle for status quo, but there are some things that individuals can do to show some pride in their neighborhoods and they cost the city nothing.

On the topic of neighborhood improvement, especially as regarding the steps, I saw this recently:
Oakley Street Mosaic Steps Project covers South Side Slopes steps in colorful tiles, first for Pittsburgh - NEXTpittsburgh

I have to admire a neighborhood group like the SSSNA. Rather than sulk about how the city isn't taking care of them, they raise $6000, get a mosaic tile artist, get a lot of community involvement and input into the design, and get people to volunteer their time and labor to learn how to do the tile work. It looks great.

[armourereric]

Can anyone summarize the top 5 or 10 capital improvement projects?

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by alastad

They need to lower the taxes.

I feel like Donald Trump when I pay my $500 annual property tax bill. I don't even think it's that much. And then the city and the county have to divide up whatever meager amount it is.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by ferraris

I feel like Donald Trump when I pay my $500 annual property tax bill. I don't even think it's that much. And then the city and the county have to divide up whatever meager amount it is.

To have a $500 total property tax bill your property could only be assessed at about $21,500

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by UKyank

To have a $500 total property tax bill your property could only be assessed at about $21,500

What about the homestead exemption?

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

What about the homestead exemption?

Good point; then it would an assessed value of $37,500 with the exemption

[mbw5100]

Speaking of -- does anyone have any info on tax abatement for re-developed properties in designated development zones? Info is surprisingly difficult to find.