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Board approves 2026 general fund and tax measures; millage set at 10.457 after 6–3 vote
Summary
The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education approved its 2026 general fund and a package of tax measures on Dec. 17, including a 10.457 millage rate—adopted 6–3 after staff explained a roughly $3.4 million state allocation required lowering the initially proposed rate.
The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education voted on Dec. 17 to approve its 2026 general fund and several related tax measures, including a 10.457 millage rate adopted 6–3.
Director Walker opened the budget portion of the meeting and turned discussion of the real estate tax rate to financial presenter Ron Joseph Foer. Foer said the district proposed a 10.457 "military rate," a 2% increase from 10.25, reduced from an earlier 10.66 proposal (a 4% increase) because the district has about $3,400,000 in excess property-tax allocation that must be distributed. "Since we had already planned a millage increase of 4%, we have to adjust that downward to make sure we're not having a windfall," Foer said, explaining the lower figure was chosen to remain revenue-neutral and to comply with the allocation provisions.
After a brief board exchange and a motion to vote, the roll call recorded six votes in favor and three opposed; the board adopted item 15.02 setting the millage at 10.457. The board then voted on related budget matters: item 15.01 (2026 realty-transfer tax), item 15.03 (2026 earned-income tax), item 15.04 (2026 homestead and farmstead exclusion), and item 15.05 (the 2026 general fund budget). Those items were approved by the board, with votes recorded as unanimous in the rolls for 15.01, 15.03, 15.04 and 15.05.
The board also heard routine finance committee reports and the controller's statements for the month ending Nov. 30, 2025; there were no substantive questions raised during the budget deliberations. Several directors moved and seconded the motions for the budget items on the floor; the minutes record the roll-call tallies and final approvals.
What this means: the approved millage and budget set the district's revenue plan for 2026 and incorporate the district's distribution of an identified state allocation to avoid an unintended local revenue windfall. The board concluded its legislative agenda and will reconvene in 2026.
Votes at a glance • Item 15.02 (2026 real estate/millage rate): approved 6–3, millage set at 10.457. • Item 15.01 (2026 realty-transfer tax): approved (unanimous). • Item 15.03 (2026 earned-income tax): approved (unanimous). • Item 15.04 (2026 homestead/farmstead exclusion): approved (unanimous). • Item 15.05 (2026 general fund budget): approved (unanimous).
