City Council Considering Proposal To Raise Real Estate Millage
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A proposal on the table for Pittsburgh City Council would raise city real estate millage by a half mill, which would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $42 a year.
It would restore a tax cut passed in 2012.
The current administration blames former Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration for lowering the millage too low during his time in office, causing an $8 million budget gap now.
But a public hearing on that issue drew only two speakers Wednesday morning.
Brian Marsh, who lives downtown, supports reversing the tax cut.
"It's not a tax increase," said Marsh. "It's a correction of either an error or a political stunt by the previous administration with an upcoming primary election; but regardless, the millage rate was taken too low."
Randy Zotter, from the North Side, thinks the city runs the risk of nickel and diming taxpayers.
"But when you add them all together, it suddenly becomes a big deal. We're dealing with families, with two parents both working jobs, trying to raise their kids, send them to school, feed them, clothe them, and maybe have some extra money to do fun things," said Zotter. "If you start raising taxes and adding that as a fee, it's making it harder for them."
"I believe this is one time that we have to do, and I'm going to support that, but like I said, it'll be the only time I'm going to and next time around, we're on our own," said Pittsburgh City Councilman Bruce Kraus.
Councilwoman Darlene Harris, for one, opposes the millage increase, but council will make its final decision before the end of the year.
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