City Controller Rachael Heisler

Fiscal watchdog for the citizens of the City of Pittsburgh. Protecting city tax dollars from waste, fraud and abuse.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Happy Pride Month, Pittsburgh!

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Thanks to everyone at @AACWP for having me last week at the annual PowerBreakfast. Great conversations about the work we’re doing to improve City finances, grow our population and economy, and support Black-owned businesses and work training programs.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Thanks to @PghPolice Sgt. LaBella for bringing me on a ride-along last week. Riding along with our police officers is the best way to learn about the difficult work they do, and to see how the City can better support them.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Our staff was proud to attend @TheIIA's and @TheACFE's 14th Annual Fraud and Corruption Awareness Seminar last week, where we gave a presentation about our work to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of tax dollars in the City of Pittsburgh.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

As we recognize #EMSWeek, I want to thank all the men and women in @PghEMS. Up against staffing shortages and tight budgets, you go above and beyond to respond to emergencies, save lives, and keep people safe. We’re grateful to have you in the City of Pittsburgh.

[Pittsburgh Police @PghPolice]

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is hiring!

The opportunity to serve your community and advance your career in multiple specialty units is unmatched in the region.

Check out our new recruitment video to see what Pittsburgh Police has to offer.

https://t.co/pscSk21MP9

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

I was honored to be named a Woman of Distinction this year by @GirlScoutsWPA. I am so grateful for all that the Girl Scouts do to prepare young women to be great leaders, citizens, and neighbors.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Great to see @ACE_Innamorato at the polls this morning! Thanks to all the poll workers and election officials in Allegheny County and across PA.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Thank you, as always, to our first responders who run to help every day.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

I’m heartbroken to learn of this horrific shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Please join me in praying for the victims and their families, and for our Muslim neighbors in Pittsburgh and across the country. No one should be afraid to pray in the United States of America.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Applications are now open for the City Cuts program! If you’re over 62, a veteran or disabled and need helping cutting your grass, you can sign up today. Visit https://t.co/W2AWMmcwHL for more details.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

I joined @CityCastPgh to talk about the 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial report, what it means for City residents, and how we can get the City back on strong financial footing. Listen here: https://t.co/Jtt7S8onUe

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

We have some visitors in the building for Take Your Kids to Work day! Great to have so many kids here learning about City government and the important work their parents do every day.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

If we control spending and focus on growth, we can put the City back on the right track and continue to deliver high-quality services to all of our residents.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

The key takeaway from the 2025 ACFR is that the City is spending more than it brings in, but there are some bright spots. Earned income tax and deed transfer tax revenue is up, real estate taxes have started to even out, and our pension is very well-funded.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Last night I spoke with residents in the @SouthSideSlopes and Allegheny West about the state of City finances and our recently released 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Thank you all for having me!

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

This weekend I went to the annual event to support @paarnews, an organization that does critical work to serve victims of sexual assault. We need to ensure that PAAR and other rape crisis centers around PA get the full funding they need to do this lifesaving work.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Property reassessments should be mandated at the state level, and I’ve long supported Senator @WayneDFontana’s efforts to do this. The piecemeal approach forces counties to prolong inequities while their governments struggle to attract new residents. https://t.co/gBli6qf8KL

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

The elephant in the room: federal ARPA funding.

Without ARPA money, the City would've had a deficit in 2023 and 2024. In 2025, we no longer had ARPA money, and we had a deficit.

ARPA helped save our city. But it also masked the fact that we are spending more than we earn.

[City Controller Rachael Heisler @PGHController]

Bottom line upfront:

In 2025, the General Fund collected $687.5 million, and spent $732.2 million.

That's a net deficit of $44.7 million.