County Executive Innamorato Introduces Balanced 2027 Budget

Published on October 06, 2026

PITTSBURGH – County Executive Sara Innamorato introduced a fiscally-responsible, balanced budget for 2027 in her budget presentation tonight to County Council. The budget included no tax increases or layoffs to county staff.

The operating budget will increase by 4.7% to a total of $1.25 billion. That includes a one-time $10 million payment on a 2010 bond issuance, and $21M spent to draw down State DHS and Juvenile Probation funding. Without those expenditures, the operating budget increase would be 2.0%, which means the majority of departments operate with a smaller budget in 2027 than 2026. The capital budget will be $160 million and the grants and special accounts budget will be $1.7 billion.

“Just like families across Allegheny County, at the county government we are being asked to do more with less. State and federal cuts to important human services programs will take a toll on our budget next year. And while we have worked hard to find significant cost savings everywhere we can without reducing services, inflation and other cost drivers are still applying upward pressure on our expenditures,” said County Executive Innamorato. “Nevertheless, we are being creative with our funding opportunities, block grants, corporate and philanthropic partner asks to fund catalytic programs that spur our economic growth and improve life for Allegheny County families.”

INITIATIVES

• Housing and Eviction Prevention: $4 million from capital and funding rental assistance with $7 million from operating and grant funds.
• Forward with Families, Childcare Expansion: $5 million (offset with foundation support).
• Highlands Juvenile Detention Center: $33 million (capital improvements).
• Kane facilities: $3.5 million (capital improvements, RACP recipient).
• Main Streets Allegheny: $3 million .
• Police and Fire Training Academy: $1 million (capital improvements, RACP recipient).
• Targeted Site Development for Economic Development: $2 million.
• Trail Development: $2.4 million.

COST SAVINGS

• For the 2026 budget, 35 vacant positions were closed to save $2 million; for 2027 we are closing 150 vacant positions to save $9 million.
• Anticipated savings of more than $30 million over the next four years due to various initiatives like ending our reliance on agency nurses and healthcare changes.
• Refinanced outstanding debt to save $12 Million in 2028; and rebidding contracts and insurance to save another million.
• Centralizing some operations in IT, HR and Budget for long-term efficiencies and improvements.
• Jail population has stabilized, which was driving unanticipated costs at the end of 2025.

COST DRIVERS 

• $10 million debt payment committed by a prior administration.
• Negotiated wage increases for union employees.
• Increased gasoline and diesel costs are certainly putting pressure on our budget.
• Inflation and federal decisions on tariffs have also driven up costs for things like road salt.
• Federal cuts to DHS will cost millions of dollars in mental and behavioral health and addiction support.
• DHS is also facing $5 million in state cuts to our aging programs.
• Expiring federal funding for health department positions will add $400,000.
• Pharmaceutical expenses for residents at the Kanes and ACJ will add $1 million.
• Residential placement costs in Juvenile Court will add $5 million.
• Increasing overtime for all public safety personnel will add $3 million.

Media inquiries may be directed to the Communications Office.
For contact information, including email addresses and telephone numbers, visit the office website.