RAD board proposes nearly $135M in funding

By MEGAN TROTTER
TribLive

The Allegheny Regional Asset District preliminary spending plans call for nearly $135.3 million in operating grants to 105 organizations and agencies across Allegheny County in 2027. The district, funded by a portion of the county’s 1% sales tax, estimates it will receive $142 million in new sales tax revenue to support the 2027 budget.

“This past year has seen tremendous growth, and we’re encouraged it will continue,” said RAD board member Casey Monroe. “ Many of our assets continue to face difficult headwinds with rising costs that affect their ability to deliver on impactful missions.”

Of the proposed budget, the largest share – 33.9% – would go toward parks and trails. Libraries would receive 30.8%, followed by arts and culture at 11.8%, sports and civic facilities at 10.5%, regional attractions at 8.1% and transportation at 2.2%. The remaining 2.7% would support partnerships and initiatives, project grants and RAD administration costs.

“In addition to the operating request, we received over $22.1 million dollars in capital grant requests. Capital is not included in this preliminary budget recommendation, except for the Allegheny County Parks and City of Pittsburgh Regional Parks, who are mandated to receive a minimum of 1% of annual sales tax revenue for capital,” Monroe said.

RAD considered 10 new and returning applications for funding next year. The proposal also maintains $1.5 million for RAD partnerships and initiatives, which support programs including RAD pass, an online ticketing program that provides Allegheny County library cardholders with free or discounted admission to participating cultural and entertainment attractions.

Among some of the larger allocated in the proposal include: Pittsburgh Regional Transit would receive $3 million, Senator John Heinz History Center could receive $1 million for the build-out of the Museum of African American History in the expanded museum and Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens would receive $1.5 million to replace the steam heat system in the Center Corridor of the Conservatory.

There is still time for the public to comment in person, by phone or in writing before RAD takes a final vote on Dec. 2.