Last week, Wilkinsburg took a step toward restructuring its local government. An elected commission unanimously decided to begin drafting a borough’s home rule charter, beginning a year-long process that will end with voters having the last say.
In Pennsylvania, all boroughs share a similar fundamental form of governance and have constrained taxing authority unless they choose to take more responsibility by passing a home rule charter. Voters in Wilkinsburg established a government study panel and chose its seven members in November 2022, kicking off the process.
The borough’s current government structure, which consists of a strong borough council, a mayor with few powers, and a qualified, appointed borough manager, could be changed by a charter in a number of ways. At the Aug. 23 vote, a number of commission members stated that they wanted to see more responsibility for borough council members and that community input suggested there was little trust in the borough government.
Additionally, the borough is given extra taxing authority because to home rule. While boroughs are restricted to 1%, home rule towns have no limits on earned income tax rates. Many municipalities in Allegheny County have taken advantage of the increased taxing authority, with the City of Pittsburgh setting its tax rate at 3% and many others settling between 1% and 2%.
During their preliminary study phase, commission members claimed they spoke with borough employees, elected officials, and representatives from other home rule towns. One of the main problems they cited was a shortage of money, combined with the linked problem of understaffing in borough departments.
The panel will work with a consultant from the Pennsylvania Economy League, whom it hired earlier this year, to create a home rule charter over the course of the upcoming months. The panel has until May 2024 to finish its job in accordance with the law. However, the state advises generating a preliminary copy by November to give plenty of time for public feedback and modifications.
Voters would not be asked to ratify the charter until the November 2024 General Election if the commission takes all or most of the allotted 18 months to submit its final report. The Pennsylvania Primary Election for 2024 is set for April 23, and according to the law, the question cannot be put out earlier than 60 days after the report is submitted. This means that the referendum would take place in conjunction with a presidential election, which is likely to have a high voter turnout but may be overshadowed by other races on the ballot.
Since the practice became allowed, 52% of ballot questions on new charters have passed, according to data provided by the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development. However, when the referenda were held at general elections in November rather than primaries, just 41% passed.
Days before the vote to move forward with home rule, a local development nonprofit’s stalled attempt to annex the borough into Pittsburgh saw another domino fall. The president of the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation, Tracey Evans, filed an appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on her group’s most recent legal setback. She is requesting that the court reverse a decision that effectively prohibited annexation without voter permission. The judge has not yet indicated whether the matter will be heard.
