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Allegheny County Council

Unvetted board appointments and $3 billion budget drive argument for more council staff.

Written by Amy Whipple

Discussion ahead of final votes for two proposed referendums highlighted council’s weak spots during its June 23 meeting.

The referenda, which will appear on the November ballot after a 9-6 vote, would remove council’s budget cap and give members access to county benefits if the voters approve. 

Some members said they need more staff.

In May, Ken Varhola’s departure as chief of staff left the body with three shared staff members. The chief of staff position will be converted to a coordinator for constituent services and government affairs. The executive committee approved the new position at its June 22 meeting.

Council Member Alex Rose of the South Side Slopes argued in favor of increasing the council budget because the government council oversees a $3 billion budget with 6,000 employees. “It governs 1.2 million citizens. That’s larger than eight states,” he said.

Council Member DeWitt Walton of the Hill District said, “I asked the staff three different times and three different ways, ‘Was there anything that needs to be done that isn’t being done?’ In every instance of every question, the answer was no.” 

The move to increase council’s budget comes amid “considerable fiscal concerns” according to Acting Controller Amy Weise Clements in the 2025 Popular Annual Financial Report. 

For example, the pension fund is underfunded by $1.4 billion. “That to me reeks of a government body that does not have the resources that it needs,” said Council Member Dan Grzybek of Bethel Park.

Rose also noted that council does not investigate appointments to boards and authorities, nor does it and the administration know how many boards and authorities the county has. He said, “These boards control a vast amount of authority over people’s lives.”

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
DeWitt WaltonDan Grzybek
Topics:
Government & Accountability
Governments:
Allegheny County Council
Public meetings:
Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting · June 23, 2026
Sources:
Ordinance 13953-26 — directing that a referendum question regarding the repeal of Article III, §7(c) of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny…Ordinance 13952-26 — directing that a referendum question regarding the repeal of Article III, §7(f) of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny…

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