A lot needs to happen for Wilkinsburg to merge with Pittsburgh
First, the residents have to vote for a merger in a referendum accompanied by a formal proposal that is palatable to the city.
First, the residents have to vote for a merger in a referendum accompanied by a formal proposal that is palatable to the city.
First, the residents have to vote for a merger in a referendum accompanied by a formal proposal that is palatable to the city.
Talk of a Wilkinsburg merger with the City of Pittsburgh is just that, talk, with no concrete mechanisms in motion to make it happen, based on the process explained by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
First, the residents have to vote for a merger in a referendum accompanied by a formal proposal that is palatable to the city.
"It would have to assure that it would be harm-free," says Peduto.
For example, Peduto says the City of Pittsburgh is not looking to take on assets or heavy debt that would create challenging financial commitments, such as that associated with pension funds.
"If they can provide us a proposal to make sure that it will not cause any harm to the city of Pittsburgh," Peduto said.
Some Wilkinsburg residents believe their property taxes would be slashed drastically if a merger materialized, but Peduto says that's not necessarily the case, as Wilkinsburg properties would be reassessed at a higher value, in accordance with properties in Pittsburgh.
"There will have to be an adjustment made for the properties reassessed in Wilkinsburg, in order to provide the uniformity of taxation," Peduto said.
