The functions specifically delegated to the county in the code are the administration of elections and registration of voters, assessment of property for taxation purposes, administration of justice, care of prisoners, recording of deeds and probate of wills, construction and maintenance of highways and bridges, construction and administration of aviation facilities, park development and operation and provision of public health services.

The State Constitution provides for eleven elected officials in addition to the Commissioners, who administer the affairs of the county and their duties are prescribed by statutes which are scattered through the county codes and general state laws. These elected officials, as shown on the chart which follows, are independent of the County Commissioners, but their annual budgets are subject to approval by the Commissioners who control the expenditures of all departments in the County.

Chief among the independently elected officials is the County Controller, who has general supervision over all County and Institution District fiscal affairs. He is directed by law to prepare and present the proposed budget and revenue estimates submitted by departments and agencies. The Controller pre-audits and post-audits all accounts and files an annual report of the financial transactions with the Court of Common Pleas.

The County operates on a calendar year. Therefore the 1975 accounts have not yet been certified by the County Controller, although presently available 1975 data is incorporated in this official statement.

Relationship With the City of Pittsburgh:

The City of Pittsburgh is the County seat and its largest city and the second largest city in the State. Its government is in no way dependent upon the County government for any tax revenues. It is governed by a Mayor and Council. Many of the educational and cultural facilities of the County are located in the City, and approximately one-third of the County population lives in the City.

Transportation:

Mass transportation in the County is provided by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, which owns and operates the streetcars in the City and those operating in the southern areas of the County. Bus transportation covers most of the County, with some limited rail transportation to a few areas such as McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and to areas outside the County.

Over the past several years efforts have been made to construct a rapid transit system with State and Federal aid, but at the present time no positive action is being taken to effectuate this program.

The proposed rapid transit program was designated as the Early Action Program. The County initially committed itself to one-half of the projected cost, of which one-half was to be offset by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This commitment was originally projected at $58,550,165. However, of this sum only $6,201,225 was actually awarded in contracts and is presently considered a probable contingent liability of the County. This is reflected in the "Debt Statement" set forth herein.

RELEVANT STATISTICAL DATA CONCERNING
ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND ITS METROPOLITAN REGION

Economic Activity:

During the past several years, Allegheny County has sustained a high level of economic activity enabling it to maintain a firm tax base to produce sufficient revenues to support the essential services that it provides. Evidence of the economic health of the County can be found in a number of areas, from growth in various income categories to increases in taxable real estate valuations and new construction, both residential and non-residential.

From 1970 to 1975, there has been a dramatic improvement in the distribution of family income within Allegheny County, giving evidence to a higher concentration of skilled laborers and professionals in the labor force. For example, since 1970, there has been a 30% decrease in the number of families earning less than $5,000 annually in Allegheny County. At the same time, the number of families earning from $15,000 to $25,000 a year has increased by 92% and those earning $25,000 and above annually has increased by 142%.

During this same period, median family income has increased from $10,090 a year to a current $13,695, which represents a total increase of nearly 36%. Per capita income has likewise increased from $4,549 to $5,990, an increase of some 32% and is expected to increase by an additional 39% by 1980.

Taxable real estate valuations within Allegheny County have increased from $4.2 billion to almost $5 billion, a growth of 18%. With a government largely dependent upon real estate taxation to generate local revenue, this increase assumes an added significance.

In the area of new construction, 30,000 units of housing have been built in Allegheny County since 1970. With the influx of vast amounts of federal housing and community development dollars, the housing industry within Allegheny County should enjoy continued success in the years to come. In the area of non-residential construction, during the first nine months of 1975, a total of 313 projects have been started, representing a total capital investment of approximately $153 million.

On the retail level, the outlook for Allegheny County is also bright. Figures available for the period 1967 to 1972 show a 33% growth in the level of retail sales and the establishment during that same period of 382 new retail stores. During the 1975 Christmas season, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County department stores reported record high levels of sales.

*Source: Allegheny County Department of Planning and Development, and various documents.

Even more remarkable than the growth in retail sales has been the expansion of service-related industries within Allegheny County. From 1967 to 1972, a total of 2,573 new service industries were established within Allegheny County, a clear indication that the economy of this County has shed its reliance on heavy industry with its cyclical ups and downs and is moving to a more stable service oriented economy. In recent years only one substantial company, Allis-Chalmers, has moved out of the Pittsburgh market and employment area.

On the employment front, the long-range forecast for Allegheny County is favorable. Unemployment in this area has been on the decline and currently stands at 8.7 (seasonably adjusted) percent for December, 1975. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission estimates that total employment within Allegheny County will increase from 653,665 persons in 1967 to nearly 920,000 persons by the year 2000, an increase of more than 41%.

With some 24 major corporations maintaining their corporate headquarters within Allegheny County, including such Fortune 500 giants as United States Steel Corporation, Rockwell International, Alcoa, PPG Industries, Koppers, Mellon Bank and many others, Allegheny County provides a vital link in the economic life of the entire tri-state region and for that matter the nation. It is considered to be the third largest corporate headquarters area in the United States.

With the end of the post-war population boom, forecasters are predicting a stable population or a possible slight decline for the county proper. The Southwestern Regional Planning Commission, a multi-county agency, predicts a stable population for the region through the year 2000 with particular stability in the 25-50 age group. Sources U. S. Bureau of Census. S. W. Pa. Regional Planning Commission. (Dimension of Year 2000).

Median Income:

There has been a substantial increase in the median income of family units between 1970 and 1975.

(1) Source: PA Department of Labor, Labor Market Letter, January 26, 1976. Figures represent four-county area (Allegheny. Washington, Westmoreland and Beaver).

(2) Because of rounding, totals may have slight variance from sum of employment and unemployment.