Last week, Allegheny County Council member Chuck McCullough (R-Upper St. Clair) proposed forming a volunteer commission to review and evaluate the performance of five major county authorities - the Port, Sports and Exhibition, Airport, and Sanitary Authorities, and the John Kane Regional Centers. There is still some disagreement about whether the panel is necessary. Council's Government Reform Committee will tackle the issue after Labor Day.

It should be an interesting debate. Councilman Michael Finnerty (D-Scott) wants council to review the authority budgets. But that's not enough information to get a complete picture of operations. There's more to providing public services than just keeping track of the money. Council Vice President Charles Martoni (D-Swissvale) wants council itself to conduct the review. I think that's asking too much of a part-time council, most of whose members have regular full-time jobs. Councilwoman Jan Rea (R-McCandless) favors the independent review commission. I agree.

So just what is an authority? What is its function? How much control does it have? You're probably somewhat familiar with the federal, state, and local levels of government. You know the difference between Pennsylvania and Allegheny County, and whether you live in Pittsburgh or one of the other municipalities. You've surely heard of authorities, boards, and commissions, but may not be very familiar with their background or functions. Schools don't usually teach about them and traditional media never bother to explain what they are.

The US Constitution provides only for the federal and state governments. It doesn't mention lower levels of government at all. So the states have the power to establish, disband, or merge counties, cities, and other local government bodies. Each state controls its own, but they all operate in pretty much the same way. Local governments have only the powers that the states give them, but the local officials - mayors, commissioners, legislators, and others - can have much input into making decisions within that power. Federal courts established this legal principle in 1872 and the US Supreme Court upheld it in 1907.

While municipal governments are fairly standard - cities, townships, boroughs, etc., - there are also other types of local government bodies. They are school districts, authorities, boards, and commissions. Their purpose is to perform a specific function in municipal society. Since that purpose is usually very expensive, it is separated from the main government so that its finances won't interfere with the taxing or borrowing limits on municipalities. They can't make laws, but they do have limited power to impose taxes and fees on local residents and businesses for their services.

The Pennsylvania Constitution permits the creation of school districts to manage the schools in a particular geographic area. One school district may be composed of a single municipality (like Pittsburgh or Brentwood) or it may cover multiple areas (like Baldwin-Whitehall or Keystone Oaks.) State law requires that members of a school board be elected and that they live in the district that they represent. There are 43 school districts in Allegheny County and 501 in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania's Municipality Authorities Act controls most local authorities. Allegheny County's 11 authorities include the Airport, Housing, Port, Sanitary (ALCOSAN), Sports and Exhibition Authorities, and others. A board of directors, usually appointed by local government officials, governs each authority. An executive director and other staff manage daily operations. They are still subject to all local, state, and federal laws.

Allegheny County also has 44 other boards, commissions, and committees including the Regional Assets District Board, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Property Assessment Appeals and Review Board, the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, and the Jail Oversight Board. Each organization's by-laws describe the qualifications and appointment procedures of its members. The members usually have some expertise or special interest in the subject area. Some of these organizations are more active than others. Some simply exist because the law requires it, even though they rarely meet and conduct few activities.

These organizations have governing power only over their own limited special function. For example, the Port Authority managers have no control over Housing Authority operations. Your school board has no authority over your local police department.

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For more information:

Allegheny County Authorities, Boards, Committees

Calling volunteers: An outside panel should look at county authorities