Pittsburgh City Council approves $613 million operating budget

Pittsburgh City Council on Monday approved the city’s 2022 budget.

The budget, compiled by Mayor Bill Peduto’s administration, was initially introduced in late September. Peduto formally introduced the $613.2 million operating budget and a $158.2 million capital budget to City Council during his final State of the City address in early November.

The capital budget includes $17.6 million allocated for infrastructure improvements like street paving, concrete replacement and ramps for people with disabilities, along with funding for traffic safety projects, landslide remediation, park improvements and recreation centers.

More than $11 million was earmarked for park reconstruction and improvement projects.

The budget includes federal American Rescue Plan pandemic relief money, which will be used for initiatives like buying more than 30 electric vehicles for city operations, including Pittsburgh’s first electric refuse trucks. The federal relief dollars will also be spent on upgrades for recreation centers and installing new LED streetlights.

Pittsburgh received more than $335 million in American Rescue Plan funding.

Since the budget was formally introduced, City Council has held public meetings with each city department discussing their 2022 budgets.

City Council unanimously approved the budget Monday with no discussion.