Preliminary Budget Released Maintains Core Services Without Layoffs

Published on September 30, 2025

CITY OF PITTSBURGH RELEASES PRELIMINARY BUDGET THAT MAINTAINS CORE SERVICES WITHOUT LAYOFFS OR TAX INCREASES

Pittsburgh, PA – Today, Mayor Ed Gainey released his Administration’s preliminary 2026 Operating Budget and Five -Year Plan and 2026 Capital Budget and Six Year Plan for the City of Pittsburgh. The preliminary spending plan proposes no tax increase, while maintaining core services and avoiding layoffs. As with prior years, the proposed budget maintains investments in infrastructure including bridge maintenance and public safety.

The Administration will continue to refine the preliminary operating and capital budgets until they are formally submitted to City Council in November. 2026 represents the second of two “skinny years” projected by the Administration since 2022, caused by debt refinancing undertaken by the City during the COVID-19 pandemic, and exacerbated by declining real estate tax collections as a result of the Common Level Ratio court decision. Despite constrained revenue, the proposed budget remains balanced across all five years of the financial plan, as required by the Home Rule Charter.

During the summer months, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) team members engaged with the public over four budget meetings, as well as during the “City in the Streets” events. Residents shared their perspectives on the services and needs that matter most to them.

“This budget reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship – balancing the books while protecting the core services our residents rely on each day,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “We’ve achieved this without layoffs, keeping the dedicated workers who serve our neighborhoods and keep our city moving forward.”

In accordance with City Code § 219.03, the City Controller has certified the revenue projections for the full five-year financial plan.

Some key areas of the budget include:

The Facility Usage Fee line has been removed from the revenue forecast, resulting in a net loss to the budget of $1.7 million, which is less than 1% of the forecasted revenue.
Total revenue for 2026 is expected to be $680.5 million with forecasted increases to $716.5 million in 2030.
Total proposed expenditures for 2026 are $680.0 million with forecasted increases to $711.7 million in 2030.
Elimination of approximately 50 unfilled positions (roughly 1.5% of total positions), but no layoffs to existing staff.
Non-personnel spending reductions in some areas to offset rising costs for some core services.
Increased funding for vehicle acquisitions to make necessary investments in the City’s fleet.
Continued investments in traffic calming and ‘Vision Zero’ traffic safety projects to deliver high-demand right-of-way safety improvements.

“I am committed to working in partnership with City Council to advance this budget,” said Mayor Gainey. “Together, we will ensure Pittsburgh grows as a city that works for all its residents.”

Questions from the media regarding the 2026 Preliminary Budget will be addressed by Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak and Chief Financial Officer Patrick Cornell on Wednesday, October 1 at 9:30AM at the City-County Building, 5th Floor, Mayor’s Conference room.

View the Administration’s preliminary budgets online:

Operating Budget and Five Year Plan

Capital Budget and Six Year Plan