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Motion, expressing the Sense of Council of Allegheny County, commending the Governor and General Assembly for the enactment of Act 11 of 2004 (House Bill 2006) as a means to assist the City of Pittsburgh in solving their budgetary and financial problems.
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WHEREAS, Act 11 of 2004 creates the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Cities of the Second Class which would provide for the creation of an authority to assist the City of Pittsburgh in solving their budgetary and financial problems; and
WHEREAS, the Authority would be governed by a five-member board consisting of members appointed by the Governor, Senate President pro tempore, House Speaker, Senator Minority Leader, and the House Minority Leader. The Secretary of Budget and the Director of Finance shall also serve ex-officio. All members, with the exception of the Secretary of Budget, must be residents of the City of Pittsburgh or have their primary place of employment or business within the City; and
WHEREAS, said Authority would have the duty to assist the City in achieving financial stability, avoiding defaults and deficits, negotiating intergovernmental cooperation agreements, and making reports; and
WHEREAS, the Authority is required to make a preliminary report to the Governor and General Assembly which would include recommendations as to whether the City needs additional revenues, the best sources for those revenues, and ways for the City to reduce expenditures; the report must be made within sixty (60) days of the effective date of Act 11 (February 12, 2004); and
WHEREAS, the City would not be permitted to borrow or receive funds unless the city has entered into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the authority and there is an approved financial plan in effect (the requirements of which are specified within the act). The City would also be prohibited from petitioning for relief to adjust its debts unless the filing is approved by the Governor; and
WHEREAS, Act 11 of 2004 will operate concurrently and equally with the provisions of the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act (Act 47), and further, provides for the sharing of reports, information, and recommendations; and
WHEREAS, Act 11 of 2004 provides the Authority with a Commonwealth appropriation of $200,000 which would lapse on June 30, 2005; any additional expense would be the responsibility of the City. The budget of the Authority would be subject to review by the Governor and General Assembly; the General Assembly would have the ability to limit the Authority's operating expenses; and
WHEREAS, Act 11 of 2004 creates a strong fiscal control board to oversee Pittsburgh's finances and assist in identifying possible spending cuts, merged services, and new revenue sources for the City.
Now, therefore, it is moved and it is the Sense of the Council of Allegheny County that this Body commends the Governor and General Assembly for the enactment of Act 11 of 2004 (House Bill 2006) as a means to assist the City of Pittsburgh in solving their budgetary and financial problems.