Pittsburgh begins gathering community input on 2023 budgets

Pittsburgh’s Office of Management and Budget is inviting city residents to share their input regarding the city’s 2023 capital and operating budgets through virtual forums and online surveys.

The capital budget funds projects that design, build, restore or purchase city-owned assets, have a minimum value of $50,000 and have a minimum useful life of five years. The operating budget is meant for most day-to-day governmental activities.

“The city of Pittsburgh budget is a reflection of our city’s priorities,” Mayor Ed Gainey said. “The 2023 budget engagement process will empower residents to share their vision for our city’s future, provide a platform for civic engagement and enable city departments to make effective budget requests.”

Residents can participate in budget forums via Zoom, which also will be broadcast live to YouTube. Each of these meetings will include a brief explanation of what’s in the capital budget and how the budget is crafted. Departments will then give presentations on their capital projects, followed by a question and answer session where residents can provide feedback or ask questions.

Budget forums will focus on specific areas and are scheduled to begin next week with a forum on mobility projects on Tuesday from 6 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. A forum on community projects is slated for June 8 from 6 p.m. till 8:30 p.m., followed by a forum regarding recreation projects onJune 9 from 6 p.m. till 8:30 p.m.

Residents can register for the Zoom meetings on the city’s website.

A separate Zoom forum discussing the operating budget will be held virtually at the end of June, though details have not yet been released.

Residents also can complete the 2023 capital budget survey, which is available on the city’s website through June 15. The survey will allow residents to place markers on a map to highlight desired capital projects in their communities.

A survey for the operating budget is also available on the site, and can be completed until July 17.

All surveys, meeting registration links, meeting recordings and other information is available on the city’s EngagePGH platform.

City officials said all feedback, survey results and comments will be reported to the appropriate city department, as well as the Mayor’s Office and City Council.

Anyone who needs an accommodation for communicating in the meetings can contact the city ADA coordinator at least two days before the event at 412-598-6759 or Hillary.Roman@pittsburghpa.gov.