Pittsburgh City Council Interviews - 10/26/26

Pittsburgh City Council held pre-agenda interviews on October 26, 2026, concerning appointments to lead the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Department of Innovation and Performance (IMP). The discussion emphasized cost control and future purchasing oversight. Acting OMB Director Ria Price said the city plans a thorough review and possible refresh of procurement policies and procedures in 2027, and expects to bring in spending consultants to review contracts and identify duplicate services and savings. She also described a significant budget gap and the need to work with Council on budget options. No contract awards or spending motions were approved during the interviews.

Acting IMP Director Sylvia Harris said the department is examining existing technology and software capabilities before buying new products, improving procurement review before purchases, and seeking savings through consolidated enterprise software licenses. She reported that vendor evaluations for a major ERP rollout were complete, with scoring underway and a vendor selection still pending; she also discussed cybersecurity, potential AI uses, and funding for the PGH Lab program. Acting Fire Chief Matthew Davis identified fleet and facility upgrades, training, and firefighter wellness as priorities. He supported exploring a local burn-training facility, noting the city pays about $30,000 to use Butler’s facility, in addition to travel, overtime, and equipment costs. Council members also discussed controlling overtime and potential cost savings through administrative staffing changes and service agreements with neighboring communities. No votes were taken in the transcript.