# Pittsburgh City Council Budget Hearing - 11/12/26

Pittsburgh City Council’s November 12, 2026 budget hearing covered the Department of Finance, Department of Law, and Ethics Hearing Board as part of the city’s 2027 budget review. No contract awards, bids, or procurement votes were identified. Finance reported a $30.9 million decrease in its non-personnel budget, largely from lower debt-service costs, and said it has no capital projects. Discussion focused on revenue projections, pension and retiree health-benefit obligations, the Housing Opportunity Fund, tax abatements, property sales, and potential revenue sources. The three taxing bodies trust fund had a reported $1.3 million balance; staff also described property-sale activity and planned improvements to revenue tracking and forecasting through the city’s ERP system.

The Law Department’s proposed budget maintains 41 full-time positions, with a $2.7 million decrease in non-personnel spending, including a $2.3 million reduction in the judgments line. Department leaders said they had drafted or reviewed more than 575 contracts and reduced average contracting time; they also described efforts to manage outside counsel and litigation costs. The Ethics Hearing Board budget includes one full-time position, a 2.3% personnel-budget increase, and no change in non-personnel spending. Its presentation noted that vendor disclosure forms are being implemented for city contracts and financial transactions, generally over $1,000, and that a free city form-generation software license may support electronic filings. Council discussed budget transparency and operational capacity, but no spending-related motions or votes were reported.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Published:** November 12, 2026

### Sources
- [Pittsburgh City Council Budget Hearing - 11/12/26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqlVlLUjjz8) - City Channel Pittsburgh