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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County requiring that the Chief Executive comply with the terms of Article VII, Section 7.e. of the Home Rule Charter with respect to the 2007 fiscal year.
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WHEREAS, on January 2, 2008, Bill No. 3662-08, which makes demand for payment by the Allegheny County Airport Authority of $42.5 million owed to the County under the terms of the Airport Operation, Management and Transfer Agreement Between Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and the Allegheny County Airport Authority, was introduced; and
WHEREAS, on January 4, 2008, local media reported that approximately $22.4 million in revenue derived from casino gaming had been received by Allegheny County from the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, in said media reports, the administration has indicated that $19.9 million of this $22.4 million will be used as a partial payment of the Airport Authority's debt to the County, in conformance with Bill No. 3662-08, notwithstanding previous advice given by the administration to County Council during its deliberations for the 2008 budget that this debt was not recoverable; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief no notice of this transfer was given to Council until early January, although it is understood from the media that the gaming revenue was actually transferred to the County on December 31, 2007; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief founded upon statements attributed to the Chief Executive in the media, it is his intent to apply the $19.9 million partial payment of the Airport Authority's debt to reduce the County's operating deficit for 2007; and
WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 7.e. of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County expressly states that "[i]f at any time during the fiscal year it appears probable to the Chief Executive that the revenues or fund balances available will be insufficient to finance expenditures for which appropriations have been authorized, the Chief Executive shall report this to Cou...
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