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Meet Chelsa Wagner
As the County’s top fiscal officer, Controller Chelsa Wagner leads the fight against inefficient and inequitable spending, working to root out fraud, waste and abuse in County government.
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Allegheny County was engaged in 117 property leases of at least $20,000 during the period 2017 through 2019, totaling nearly $42 million. My office's audit found a lack of safeguards for taxpayers to ensure that the County is paying fair market value for rental properties, that improvements required of property owners by the County’s leases are carried out within specifications, and that the County’s landlords are current on their property taxes.
There is no reason that tried-and-true government procurement processes like requests for proposals and competitive bidding, which can prevent favoritism and waste in government spending, can’t be used for leasing private office space. 'Shopping around’ for office space is likely to be even more important in the coming months, as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn has transformed local rental markets. A recent report from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership showed rents down 5 percent to 15 percent during the pandemic and landlords offering new incentives to attract tenants.
County lease contracts also contain language requiring the landlord to pay all real estate taxes when they are due and payable. Auditors found that seven properties leased by the County have unpaid taxes for at least one of the past four years. This indicates that there is no process in place to verify County real estate taxes are paid on properties being leased by the County. This deficiency in oversight and accountability must be fixed. Those who make their tax payments year-in-and-year-out expect nothing less of those getting County dollars.
READ MORE:
AUDIT SHOWS COUNTY PROPERTY LEASES NEED MORE OVERSIGHT, SAFEGUARDS, WAGNER SAYS -
alleghenycontroller.com
(Pittsburgh) May 13, 2021 While Downtown Pittsburgh’s County government complex—consisting of the Courthouse, City-County Building, and County Office Building—is the center of Allegheny County government, the County also leases many properties around the County to assist with carrying out vari...As a member of the County Jail Oversight Board, I voted last week to allow medication-assisted addiction treatment in the Jail. It is broadly acknowledged that opioid addiction is a regional and national crisis, that those suffering from addiction far too often end up behind bars rather than in treatment, and that the pandemic has worsened these issues. Years of delay in putting potentially life-saving measures in place is not acceptable when they are needed now more than ever.
Health experts call on jail to expand use of opioid treatment medication
www.publicsource.org
More than 180 people wrote an open letter to Rich Fitzgerald on Monday for failing to provide necessary addiction treatment to people at the county jail.Twitter
Allegheny County was engaged in 117 property leases of at least $20,000 over 2 years, totaling nearly $42 million. My office's audit found a lack of safeguards for taxpayers READ MORE:
AUDIT SHOWS COUNTY PROPERTY LEASES NEED MORE OVERSIGHT, SAFEGUARDS, WAGNER SAYS -
(Pittsburgh) May 13, 2021 While Downtown Pittsburgh’s County government complex—consisting of the Courthouse, City-County Building, and Co...
bit.ly
I voted last week to allow medication-assisted addiction treatment in the County Jail. Years of delay in putting potentially life-saving measures in place is not acceptable when they are needed now more than ever.
Health experts call on jail to expand use of opioid treatment medication
More than 180 people wrote an open letter to Rich Fitzgerald on Monday for failing to provide necessary addiction treatment to people at the county ja...
bit.ly
Facebook
Allegheny County was engaged in 117 property leases of at least $20,000 during the period 2017 through 2019, totaling nearly $42 million. My office's audit found a lack of safeguards for taxpayers to ensure that the County is paying fair market value for rental properties, that improvements required of property owners by the County’s leases are carried out within specifications, and that the County’s landlords are current on their property taxes.
There is no reason that tried-and-true government procurement processes like requests for proposals and competitive bidding, which can prevent favoritism and waste in government spending, can’t be used for leasing private office space. 'Shopping around’ for office space is likely to be even more important in the coming months, as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn has transformed local rental markets. A recent report from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership showed rents down 5 percent to 15 percent during the pandemic and landlords offering new incentives to attract tenants.
County lease contracts also contain language requiring the landlord to pay all real estate taxes when they are due and payable. Auditors found that seven properties leased by the County have unpaid taxes for at least one of the past four years. This indicates that there is no process in place to verify County real estate taxes are paid on properties being leased by the County. This deficiency in oversight and accountability must be fixed. Those who make their tax payments year-in-and-year-out expect nothing less of those getting County dollars.
READ MORE:
AUDIT SHOWS COUNTY PROPERTY LEASES NEED MORE OVERSIGHT, SAFEGUARDS, WAGNER SAYS -
alleghenycontroller.com
(Pittsburgh) May 13, 2021 While Downtown Pittsburgh’s County government complex—consisting of the Courthouse, City-County Building, and County Office Building—is the center of Allegheny County government, the County also leases many properties around the County to assist with carrying out vari...As a member of the County Jail Oversight Board, I voted last week to allow medication-assisted addiction treatment in the Jail. It is broadly acknowledged that opioid addiction is a regional and national crisis, that those suffering from addiction far too often end up behind bars rather than in treatment, and that the pandemic has worsened these issues. Years of delay in putting potentially life-saving measures in place is not acceptable when they are needed now more than ever.
Health experts call on jail to expand use of opioid treatment medication
www.publicsource.org
More than 180 people wrote an open letter to Rich Fitzgerald on Monday for failing to provide necessary addiction treatment to people at the county jail.Owing to years of work by advocates and dedicated Council members, Allegheny County Council last night at long last enacted an independent police review board with oversight of the County Police and local police agencies whose governing bodies choose to participate. While this is a beginning to continuing efforts to ensure that police accountability does not begin and end depending on municipal boundaries, it is a vitally important step forward. Councilwoman Liv Bennett is due particular recognition for this accomplishment and her perseverance, shepherding this bill through the Public Safety Committee and facilitating compromise to achieve yesterday's successful outcome.
The County administration should now begin a comprehensive outreach effort to local governments and police agencies to bring as many as possible into the independent oversight process. This should include incentivizing participation, such as conditioning provision of some County Police services to municipal forces on their taking part, as I and independent policing experts have called for in the past.
After Years Of Debate, County Council Passes Police Review Board
www.wesa.fm
County Council approves a reform that supporters say will be a critical step forward for police accountability.Allegheny County's new online map can help residents locate COVID-19 vaccination locations and availability. Everyone 16 years of age and up is now eligible to be vaccinated. Do your part to help end the spread! #endcovid19
VIEW MAP: experience.arcgis.com/experience/8c541d5f4d19438294714cbf3e4abfac/
I am pleased that my daughter and myself have had both doses of vaccine.
NEED HELP WITH UTILITY BILLS? County residents can now apply for utility payment assistance through the federally supported relief program at covidrentrelief.alleghenycounty.us, 412-248-0021, or the County's drop-in centers. Utilities assistance includes help with electricity, gas or fuel oil, sewage, trash removal and water. Find more information and eligibility requirements at the link.
Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance
covidrentrelief.alleghenycounty.us
Residents of Allegheny County should apply for rental assistance on this site. If you don’t live in Allegheny County, find out how your county is accepting applications here.Twitter
Allegheny County was engaged in 117 property leases of at least $20,000 over 2 years, totaling nearly $42 million. My office's audit found a lack of safeguards for taxpayers READ MORE:
AUDIT SHOWS COUNTY PROPERTY LEASES NEED MORE OVERSIGHT, SAFEGUARDS, WAGNER SAYS -
(Pittsburgh) May 13, 2021 While Downtown Pittsburgh’s County government complex—consisting of the Courthouse, City-County Building, and Co...
bit.ly
I voted last week to allow medication-assisted addiction treatment in the County Jail. Years of delay in putting potentially life-saving measures in place is not acceptable when they are needed now more than ever.
Health experts call on jail to expand use of opioid treatment medication
More than 180 people wrote an open letter to Rich Fitzgerald on Monday for failing to provide necessary addiction treatment to people at the county ja...
bit.ly
Congrats @AllCnty_Council & local advocates for the long awaited creation of the County police review board. The County must now begin comprehensive outreach to encourage local govs to participate. Accountability should not begin & end at municipal lines.
After Years Of Debate, County Council Passes Police Review Board
County Council approves a reform that supporters say will be a critical step forward for police accountability.
bit.ly
NEED HELP WITH UTILITY BILLS? County residents can now apply for utility payment assistance through the federally supported relief program at , 412-248-0021, or the County's drop-in centers. Find more information and eligibility requirements at the link.
NEED HELP? GET HELP: Of $80M available to help tenants and landlords, the County has paid out only about $1M. Applicants are needed. Please help inform especially senior family/neighbors. Very few applicants thus far have been 65+. Info & apply:
The Health Equity Series launched by @PBGHPA is aimed at driving awareness of the acute racial divide in the care pregnant black women receive in our region, a vital step toward beginning to address them. Learn more and register:
Health Equity Series - PBGH
2021 Health Equity Series EVENTS “Myths, Pregnancy, and Pandemic Success” February 4th, 2021 @ 5 – 7 PM Featuring Keynote: Charles Johns...
pbghpa.org
Today's a national #SaveTransit day-of-action. Join me in asking the Senate to pass $30B in the COVID recovery bill for transit systems and riders.
🚨TRANSIT DAY OF ACTION TODAY!🚨Write your Senators NOW to pass $30B for transit. COVID recovery is not possible without it.
👉 Take action here: https://t.co/oUewTgxyia 👈
#SaveTransit #TransitIsEssential #AmericanRescuePlan @SenBobCasey @SenBobCasey @SenateDems @SenateGOP
John was a leader and fighter for working people and our County government during critical times. He will be missed.
Statement from ACLC President @Darrinkellypgh:
“We are sad to learn that John DeFazio has passed away. John was a dedicated public servant, a union leader & a Vice President of our Labor Council, & a lifelong champion for working families in western Pennsylvania... (1/2)
It can't be said the Jail let its guard down on COVID because it never truly went up, despite pleas from officials, advocates, inmates' families, and corrections workers. Thank you @PghCurrent for their new Special Report.
COVID-19 outbreak at the Allegheny County Jail: 75 new cases in just 10 days. What does this say about the county’s testing practices? - Pittsburgh Current
An outbreak of COVID-19 at the Allegheny County Jail has resulted in 75 new cases in just 10 days.
bit.ly
Where is the leg up (or arm out) for Allegheny Co. residents from what should be community resources? READ MY GUEST OP-ED in @PghCurrent:
Guest OP/ED: Our local health institutions must make vaccine info and access readily available - Pittsburgh Current
Local residents spending hour after hour searching the web and working the phones in search of a vaccine have very often been left wondering where in ...
bit.ly
