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An Ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, repealing ordinance 16-26-OR.
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Whereas, on June 23, 2026, Allegheny County Council adopted Bill No. 13952-06, which provided for the placement of a referendum question that would amend the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County to entirely remove all restrictions on the amount of the Council’s own annual operating budgets on the 2026 General Election ballot; and
Whereas, the Chief Executive returned this bill unsigned on June 25, allowing it to pass into law as of July 6, 2026 pursuant to the terms of Article V, §5(i) of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County; and
Whereas, Bill No. 13952-26 was assigned the enactment number 16-26-OR; and
Whereas, pursuant to the terms of the Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law, 53 Pa.C.S.A. §2944, the statutory deadline for finalizing referendum questions and submitting them for filing with the Board of Elections for the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot is 13 weeks prior to the election, and therefore falls on August 4, 2026; and
Whereas, the Council has recently received information regarding the condition of the County’s retirement fund and general budgetary outlook for 2027; and
Whereas, in light of this information and due to the significance of the budgetary issues before Council, it is the desire of Council not to place this question on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 General Election;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby enacts as follows:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of the Preamble.
The provisions set forth in the preamble to this ordinance are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
SECTION 2. Repeal of Ordinance 16-26-OR.
Ordinance 16-26-OR is hereby repealed in its entirety. The Board of Elections is accordingly directed not to receive ordinance 16-26-OR for filing or for placement of the referendum question delineated therein on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot.
SECTION 3. Efective Date.
The provisions of this Ordinance shall be deemed effective immediately upon the date of final approval.
SECTION 4. Severability.
If any provision of this Ordinance shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Ordinance, which shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. Repealer.
Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Ordinance is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Ordinance.