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How RAD Works

RAD is a unique source of public funding in Allegheny County.

One penny from every taxable dollar spent goes to support our region's quality of life.

Half of the proceeds are distributed by RAD to regional assets like libraries, parks, arts organizations, and other regional attractions.

The other half is distributed directly to Allegheny County and its 128 municipalities to support tax relief and local government services.

Resulting in more than$5 billioninvested in our region since 1994

Let’s Talk Details

RAD was established as a special purpose area-wide unit of local government, authorized by an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature (Act 77 of 1993).

RAD provides grants to Allegheny County's libraries, parks and trails, arts and cultural organizations, regional attractions, sports and civic facilities, and public transit. RAD’s revenue comes from half of the proceeds of an additional one percent sales and use tax in Allegheny County.

A seven-member Board of Directors oversees RAD’s operations and grantmaking process. Four members are appointed by the Allegheny County Chief Executive, two are appointed by the Mayor of Pittsburgh, and the seventh member is elected by the six appointees. The six appointees serve terms concurrent with the appointing authority while the seventh member serves for two years. The Board also appoints a citizen Advisory Board to provide public input and comment on policies and procedures.

RAD has an open and transparent annual budget process that includes public hearings for all applicants, a preliminary budget with a public comment period, and a budget adoption late November for the following year. Each proposed allocation requires the support of six members of the Board. All meetings and votes of the Board are conducted under the provisions of the Sunshine Act, which requires public meetings and opportunities for public comment.

RAD adheres to a strict Code of Ethics and Right-To-Know Policy, which is in compliance with Pennsylvania's Right-To-Know Law.

The municipal side of RAD funding is distributed directly from the PA Treasury to Allegheny County and each of its 128 municipalities, based on a state calculated formula. This funding has been used to shift the tax burden away from property taxes, permanently eliminate the personal property tax, and support a variety of local government services.

RAD is a unique source of public funding in Allegheny County.

One penny from every taxable dollar spent goes to support our region's quality of life.

Half of the proceeds are distributed by RAD to regional assets like libraries, parks, arts organizations, and other regional attractions.

Regional Assets

The other half is distributed directly to Allegheny County and its 128 municipalities to support tax relief and local government services.

Municipalities

Resulting in more than$5 billioninvested in our region since 1994

Let’s Talk Details

RAD was established as a special purpose area-wide unit of local government, authorized by an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature (Act 77 of 1993).

RAD provides grants to Allegheny County's libraries, parks and trails, arts and cultural organizations, regional attractions, sports and civic facilities, and public transit. RAD’s revenue comes from half of the proceeds of an additional one percent sales and use tax in Allegheny County.

A seven-member Board of Directors oversees RAD’s operations and grantmaking process. Four members are appointed by the Allegheny County Chief Executive, two are appointed by the Mayor of Pittsburgh, and the seventh member is elected by the six appointees. The six appointees serve terms concurrent with the appointing authority while the seventh member serves for two years. The Board also appoints a citizen Advisory Board to provide public input and comment on policies and procedures.

RAD has an open and transparent annual budget process that includes public hearings for all applicants, a preliminary budget with a public comment period, and a budget adoption late November for the following year. Each proposed allocation requires the support of six members of the Board. All meetings and votes of the Board are conducted under the provisions of the Sunshine Act, which requires public meetings and opportunities for public comment.

RAD adheres to a strict Code of Ethics and Right-To-Know Policy, which is in compliance with Pennsylvania's Right-To-Know Law.

The municipal side of RAD funding is distributed directly from the PA Treasury to Allegheny County and each of its 128 municipalities, based on a state calculated formula. This funding has been used to shift the tax burden away from property taxes, permanently eliminate the personal property tax, and support a variety of local government services.

RAD's History

RAD is a time-tested solution that works for the economy, for assets, for citizens, for municipalities – for all. Learn more about how it all got started.

Learn More