The Pittsburgh Public Schools board Wednesday evening narrowly authorized a 3% real estate tax rate increase, providing a revenue boost that supporters saw as an important first step in turning around the district’s troubled financial situation.
The tax hike will help pay for the district’s $690 million 2022 budget — also approved Wednesday — which represents a 2.82% increase over this year but also carries a $56 million deficit.
The 3% tax increase, approved 5-4, will generate an additional $5.3 million in revenue for the school system in 2022 and cost an additional $30 on every $100,000 of a home’s assessed value.
“Pittsburgh Public Schools board authorizes 3% property tax rate hike” – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 22, 2021.
This is the second tax hike for PPS in the last few years. PPS continues its considerable deficit spending. The district’s CFO indicated that staff has increased 14% while enrollment has decreased 15%.
The Tax Calculator was updated to reflect this change.
See also the relevant PPS Board resolution.