County representative warns of reassessment and $1.4 billion pension shortfall

DeWitt Walton, Allegheny County council member for District 10, briefed the Forest Hills borough council on county-level fiscal and policy issues that could affect local budgets and services. Walton said the county must complete a reassessment by 2032 after a recent court ruling and that the county faces a substantial pension shortfall he stated at $1,400,000,000, describing limited remedies without matched employee contributions.

"If you're not aware, it has been determined that the county pension plan has a deficit of $1,400,000,000," Walton said, adding that solutions will require reviewing management practices, possibly changing money managers and broad collaboration. Walton also said the county administration had not yet shared a plan for the reassessment and that budget hearings are scheduled over three nights in mid-October to consider department requests.