The financial ruin of Mt. Lebanon

Introduction of Ordinance (Bill No. 7-15) amending the Charter to change the number of commissioners required to incur debt.  

On January 7, 2014, the Ad Hoc Home Rule Charter Study Committee recommended various changes to the Charter.  

Currently, a simple majority of the Commission is authorized to make decisions regarding expenditures, capital programs, budgets, and setting of tax rates. However, the Charter requires a super majority of the Commission to make decisions regarding debt. This ordinance would change the Charter regarding the number of commissioners required to incur debt to promote uniformity in financial decision making.  

The proposed ordinance would place the issue on the November 3, 2015 general election ballot.  

Recommended Action:   

DB 1. Introduce Ordinance (Bill No. 7-15). 

JB 2. Set the public hearing for June 9, 2015

This will be the financial ruin of Mt. Lebanon if this goes through. Our Home Rule Charter now requires four affirmative votes to incur debt. This is also referred to a "super vote." It was put in place as a checks and balances system to prevent an election year like this one where Wards 1, 3, and 5 elect their commissioners. It is not going to happen, but let's say that no incumbent wins this year. There would be three newbies in office. They would not need to rely on the advice of the Ward 2 and 4 commissioners. Wards 1, 3, and 5 hold all the cards.

Consider this. Bendel wins. He is proturf. Brumfield and Silverman are proturf. The three of them could incur debt to replace all the municipal fields with artificial turf. They could turn McNeilly into a new recreation center and our bond rating would plunge.

I have been told that this blog is toxic. I maintain that all I am doing is documenting the toxicity. This is really bad for Mt. Lebanon's future.