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An Ordinance amending the Allegheny County Code of Ordinances, Division 1, entitled "Administrative Code," Article 203, "County Authorities," in order to clarify the County's relation to the authorities designated as “County Authorities” within the Code.
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WHEREAS, the Administrative Code of Allegheny County delineates certain authorities as “County Authorities” in §5-203.01; and
WHEREAS, while the Code specifies appointment and board membership qualification criteria, establishes budget information dissemination requirements, contains audit requirements, mandates legislative authorization prior to the authorities' commitment of County funds, and extends the County's disadvantaged business enterprise participation policies to the authorities, it is silent with regard to other fundamentally important matters of County Authority accountability and transparency; and
WHEREAS, the appointment mechanism established within the Code as currently written vests appointment power with one individual, the Chief Executive, and therefore intertwines authority management inextricably with a single individual's management philosophy, and may also stifle vigorous debate of authority management which would otherwise occur by a management entity comprised of varying viewpoints; and
WHEREAS, authorities' fiscal policies currently need only be approved by a governing body appointed by the Chief Executive and without accountability to the County's residents; and
WHEREAS, it is the judgment of Council that this structure is not in the best interests of the County because it fosters accountability to a single individual rather than to a broader cross section of individuals representing the County's residents;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby enacts as follows:
SECTION 1. Amendment of the Code.
The Allegheny County Code of Ordinances, Division 1, entitled "Administrative Code," Article 203, is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE 203
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