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How Does A Financially Strapped City End With Surplus?

Pittsburgh Parking, Occupational Taxes Generate Big Money

Posted: 9:42 am EDT August 5, 2005Updated: 9:56 am EDT August 5, 2005

Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy said the financially struggling city should end the year with a $4 million to $12 million budget surplus.

However, the mayor warns the picture might not be as rosy in the next two years.

More than one-third of the projected surplus comes from hiking the city's parking tax to 50 percent.

Revenues from that generated $3.7 million more than expected through the first half of the year.

The new occupational privilege tax surpassed projections by $2.2 million.

City Councilman Doug Shields said, "I don't want people to convey because we're walking into a potential $3 million, $4 million surplus at the end of the year that happy days are here again and we can all pop the champagne corks."

The city is anticipating millions of dollars in revenue from slot parlors that have not been built yet.

But the city could see big losses if that plan falls through.