Three municipalities are leaving the Alle-Kiski Intergovernmental Council, citing membership costs and internal administrative changes.
Arnold Council voted Tuesday to leave, citing lack of recent progress as a deciding factor.
Councilman Aaron Moore said the council is well-intentioned, but the only deliverable it has produced was a 2025 blight plan. Since then, he said, it has been mostly ideas for future projects.
“Despite it being its fifth year, it’s still not where it needs to be,” Moore said. “If it’s not figured out, it’s not a benefit to any of us.”
Victoria Baur, assistant deputy director of planning at Westmoreland County, said Vandergrift and East Vandergrift have not submitted an official resignation yet but have said in previous conversation that they are leaving.
“They just have other priorities right now they want to focus on,” she said. “They want to keep their finances tight.”
Each year, the county renews its cooperative agreements with member municipalities, requiring a $545 flat fee and an additional amount based on population.
Moore said Arnold hasn’t redesignated the $1,300 it will save yet.
He also said the city hasn’t ruled out rejoining in the future “once it’s more stable and has a clear idea of what it is.”
“The intergovernmental council is a benefit, but right now, with the best intention of Arnold, we just need to pull out,” he said.
The city has also had setbacks hiring a code enforcement officer to represent it at monthly IGC meetings, Moore said.
Vandergrift Borough Councilwoman Marilee Kessler said she’s certain it will reenter the cooperative once it has the money for it. She said part of the decision was because of administrative changes in the borough.
She said the borough has benefited greatly from blight removal following the 2025 survey and its meaningful to have collaboration between municipalities.
“It’s very important, and I plan to attend the meetings,” she said. “The only difference is I just won’t have a vote.”
East Vandergrift officials could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.
Baur said the county understands why the communities are leaving and welcomes them to return in the future.
As the council dwindles to five remaining members — New Kensington, Upper Burrell, Lower Burrell, Allegheny Township and West Leechburg — it will discuss the organization’s sustainability, Baur said.
She said sharing code enforcement could be beneficial to communities with a smaller population.
It will also explore becoming more locally organized, rather than using the county administrative services.
Despite the losses, she said communities coming together has great value to city officials and residents.
“Intergovernmental work can lead to a lot of success for communities,” she said “It’s the wave of the future.”
