Pittsburgh human rights commission approves 2026 budget package to send to city

The Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission voted July 7 to send a two-option 2026 budget package to the city budget office that would add staff positions and raise salaries to handle a larger caseload.

Commissioners approved a package that offers the city two alternative proposals: a lower-cost option that would add a community liaison and a lead investigator, update a fiscal coordinator’s salary and increase the intern/part-time line by $5,000; and a larger option adding an investigator position and a higher part‑time budget. Director Shepherd told commissioners the smaller package represents “a total ask of just under, like, $200,000,” while the larger package would be closer to $300,000.

Why it matters: Commission staff say additional positions and pay adjustments are intended to help process a rising number of intakes and investigations and to expand outreach and compliance work. Shepherd told the commission the office has exceeded the contracted number of EEOC case credits this year and has a higher-than-normal number of pending intakes.

Key details: The lower-cost proposal would create a community liaison post (a position type already in the city roster), a lead investigator post, adjust the fiscal contracting coordinator’s salary and increase the seasonal/intern budget by $5,000 to allow for two semesters of interns. The larger proposal includes an added investigator and a larger part‑time budget to support a part‑time staff position year-round. Shepherd described the proposals as two clear options the city can choose between rather than presenting a menu of line-item requests.

Commission action: A motion to submit the package to the city budget office passed at the meeting. Commissioners voiced support for presenting two options to decision-makers in the budget office; no formal roll-call tally with named votes was recorded in the transcript, and the chair announced “Motion carries.”

Background and next steps: Shepherd said the commission’s budget office hearings are expected to be scheduled between July and August. Commissioners were invited to participate in the budget meeting with the city, and staff said they will notify commissioners when the meeting is scheduled. The commission’s operating budget line items (advertising, language access, solicitor fees) were not increased in this request; staffing and salary adjustments were the focus.

The commission will now await the city budget office’s review and decision on which, if either, of the proposals it will fund.