Presenter
Presented by Mr. Peduto
Title
An Ordinance Supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title One, Administrative, Article I, General Provisions, by adding new language, increases in compensation for elected officials.
Body
Whereas, elected officials of this municipality are paid for their service by the City's taxpayers; and,
Whereas, elected officials have the power, without prior taxpayer approval, to grant unto themselves pay increases; and,
Whereas, most residents of the City, unlike elected officials, cannot simply vote to give themselves a pay raise; and,
Whereas, our residents and constituents are losing their jobs, their homes and many are struggling to pay their bills; and,
Whereas, the Home Rule Charter of the City of Pittsburgh, Article 3, Section 310(h) grants unto City Council the authority to set the salaries of all elected officials of the City of Pittsburgh; and,
Whereas, the City has been declared a distressed municipality by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and,
Whereas, taxpayer dollars are used to fund the provision of City services; and,
Whereas, it is incumbent upon elected officials to use prudence in their stewardship of taxpayer dollars and resources; and,
Whereas, responsible stewardship is critical in maintaining both public trust and confidence in our system of government.
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title One, Administrative, Article I, General Provisions, is hereby supplemented by adding Chapter 108, Increases in Compensation for Elected Officials, as follows:
Chapter 108. Increases in Compensation for Elected Officials
ยง 108.01 Increases in Compensation for Elected Officials
The Mayor, the City Controller and all members of City Council shall NOT receive any increase in salary or other form of compensation unless first approved by the voters, in a ballot question, in a regular municipal primary election.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall remain in effect until the termination of BOTH the City's distressed municipality status under Act 47 of 1987 and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority established under Act 11 of 2004.