For 2026, Duquesne Holds Line on Budget

But citing increased costs, council will increase water and trash collection fees

By Tom Leturgey
The Tube City Almanac
December 05, 2025
Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne will hold the line on property taxes for 2026.

City council this week passed a budget that keeps tax levies at their current “blended” rate of 20 mills, of which 17 mills are designated for the general fund, two for debt service and one for fire service. Each mill represents $1 of tax on every $1,000 of a property’s value.

The millage is called “blended” because Duquesne is one of three municipalities in Allegheny County that levies separate rates on buildings and land.

However, city water rates will increase 10 percent, with 3.3 percent of the increase going to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, while the city’s municipal service fee also will increase 10 percent, with 7.5 percent going to Duquesne’s contracted trash hauler, County Hauling.

Council Member Aaron Adams, who was attending his final meeting, said he has long advocated bringing trash collection services in-house once the garbage contract ends at the conclusion of 2026. The increase equates to an increase from $27.50 to $30.25 per month. 

As for water rates, Council Member Derek Artim said the increase amounts to an additional $1.12 on each 1,000 gallons, with the rate going from approximately $11.18 to $12.30.

City officials said they are bracing for a “significant” increase in health insurance for employees, which they said is a nationwide problem.

The new budget allocates enough money for a 12.5 percent rate increase, but one city official said they won’t know until they receive a new contract in Spring 2026. The city said any unforeseen expenses could wind up being passed onto taxpayers.

In other business, Adams encouraged residents to speak out against a possible rate increase by Pennsylvania American Water Co., which has provided sewerage service to Duquesne residents following its takeover of the McKeesport municipal authority.

“I am personally against it and will be opposing it,” he said. He encouraged residents to call, email or write to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to demonstrate “strength in numbers” against the proposed increases. Information on how to reach out is on letters and statements residents received about the rate hike, he said. 

Adams noted that State Rep. John Inglis and State Sen. Nick Pisciottano will be filing comments as well.

The proposed increase is as much as 16.8, Adams said: “That would be pretty substantial.”

Public Works Director Steve Arbasak noted that earlier in the morning the city had “a doozy of a snowstorm. We knocked all the rust off of the machines.” He noted that crews “missed a couple of alleys” that they will “take care of tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.” Public works contacted the city’s garbage company about the inability to get to some of the alleys because of the persistent snow.

Council Member Elaine Washington noted that when she left her home at 10 a.m. “the roads were good” and she thanked the crews for their diligence.

Mayor R. Scott Adams said that the city’s veteran recognition banner program will “be up and running again” next year. There are applications in the city treasurer’s office and also online. “The deadline will probably be in mid-April again.” They want to have the banners ready for Memorial Day, he said.

In his report, police Chief Tom Shaw noted that the department is giving a civil service test this week and is understaffed by “one or two” officers. There are 12 officers plus Shaw currently on the force, he said.

Council took no action on a motion to approve or deny a conditional use permit for proposed single-room occupancy housing at the former St. Joseph’s Rectory at 32 S. 1st St. Council said it will be revisited in January.

City Engineer Laura Branthoover noted that the she hopes that city crews will get a “day or two” of passable weather to complete work on the basketball court at Polish Hill Park. “I’m optimistic,” she continued. Branthoover also said that “all the grant applications have been submitted by the end of November.”

City Solicitor Myron Sainovich reviewed a discussion about the Duquesne Police Department launching a social media account, as neighboring police agencies have done. He said there shouldn’t be a problem as long as the account is constrained to police activities and announcements.

Originally published December 05, 2025.

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