Home Rule Charter – Community Conversation (Final)

Historic Wilkinsburg Borough Puts Home Rule on November Ballot Oct. Community meetings scheduled

The Wilkinsburg Borough Government Study Commission unanimously voted to recommend that residents approve the Home Rule Charter on Nov. 5, 2024. The Commission spent 20 months drafting the charter. The Charter retains the best features of the Borough’s present form of government, including its proportionally representative Ward-based system of electing its Council, while establishing a new government structure.

Highlights

• A more empowered Mayor, whose role becomes that of a more hands-on executive figure, as well as a voting member of Council.
• Clarified chains of command and linkages between the elected officials and the Borough’s Departments.
• Greater investment in and expectation of borough elected officials, with gr
  eater accountability demanded of them.
• Measures that make Borough governance more transparent to its constituents.
• Empowerment of residents to participate more broadly and directly through initiative and referendum procedures.
• In addition, the mere grant of powers given by Home Rule provides Wilkinsburg with many other desirable changes, including the taxing flexibility necessary to reduce its high real estate tax and most equitably determine how to collectively fund the future its residents desire.

LEARN MORE: Announcing 3 in-person only October Community Conversations

• Saturday, October 5th at 11:30 AM
  • Host: Commission Chair Jacquet Kehm
  • Location: Center for Civic Arts (the prior Mulberry Presbyterian Church) 710 Mulberry St 15221
• Thursday, October 17th at 6 PM
  • Host: Commissioner Dean Brandt
  • Location: 2nd floor Council Chambers W. Boro Building, 605 Ross Ave, Wilkinsburg 15221
• Thursday, October 24th at 6:30 PM
  • Host: Commissioner Ruth Kittner
  • Location: Christian Church of Wilkinsburg 748 Wallace Wilkinsburg 15221

A Wilkinsburg Historical Perspective see https://www.wilkinsburgpa.gov/projects-andinitiatives/governmentstudycommission/historical-perspective/

FOR QUESTIONS: jqkehm@gmail.com