Allegheny County Council approved the county's 2026 tax levy and a package of budget measures on unanimous or near-unanimous votes Tuesday evening, including an amendment to the county fee schedule that raises some park and recreation charges.

The actions included adoption of Ordinance 13682-25 (the 2026 tax levy), Resolution 13683-25 (the 2026 operating budget, as amended), Resolution 13684-25 (the capital budget) and Resolution 13685-25 (grants and special accounts). Council also adopted an administration amendment and then passed Ordinance 13734-25, which updates the county's fee schedule.

Why it matters: the measures set appropriations and program funding for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026, including county support for rental assistance, public safety and parks. Council members said the fee changes were intended to reduce taxpayer subsidy for recreational services; some members expressed concern about the timing of last-minute changes.

Council action and key votes

- Ordinance 13682-25 (tax levy): Committee on Budget and Finance brought the ordinance for second reading; Councilman Paul Mistino moved for approval. Roll-call votes were recorded and the clerk announced Ayes 14, No 0; the ordinance passed.

- Ordinance 13734-25 (fee schedule, as amended): The chief executive requested consideration of an administration amendment. Council waived the 48-hour rule to introduce Amendment 1; the amendment passed on roll call (Ayes 13, Noes 1) and the bill passed as amended (Ayes 14, No 0). Council members specifically flagged increased fees at Boyce Park ski slopes and discussed that many fee lines had not been updated in years.

- Resolution 13683-25 (operating budget, as amended): Council voted to waive the 48-hour rule to consider the administration's amendment (Inamorado 1). The amendment was adopted on roll call (Ayes 13, Noes 1) and the operating budget passed as amended on roll call (Ayes 14, No 0).

- Resolution 13684-25 (capital budget): Recommended by the Budget & Finance Committee and passed on roll call (Ayes 14, No 0).

- Resolution 13685-25 (grants and special accounts): Recommended by Budget & Finance; passed on roll call (Ayes 14, No 0).

Council discussion and process notes

Council members raised procedural concerns about introducing substantive changes late in the process. One member described the fee adjustments as a modest effort to align rates with current costs after many years without increases; another noted the county's park operations historically ran at a subsidy and that fee adjustments are intended to reduce dependence on general taxpayer support. The council used the 48-hour waiver twice to introduce administration amendments during the session.

Votes at a glance

- 13682-25 (Ordinance, tax levy): Passed; vote recorded Ayes 14, No 0.
- 13734-25 (Ordinance, fee schedule) Amendment 1: Adopted Ayes 13, Noes 1; bill passed as amended Ayes 14, No 0.
- 13683-25 (Resolution, operating budget) Amendment Inamorado 1: Adopted Ayes 13, Noes 1; operating budget passed as amended Ayes 14, No 0.
- 13684-25 (Resolution, capital budget): Passed Ayes 14, No 0.
- 13685-25 (Resolution, grants and special accounts): Passed Ayes 14, No 0.

Next steps

With council approval, these measures set the county's appropriation and fee levels for fiscal year 2026. Several newly introduced ordinances (including an administrative-code change related to autopsy protocol for in-custody deaths and a proposed lease renewal for Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum) were referred to the relevant committees for further review.