Mon Valley towns, schools tighten budgets after novel tax pact with U.S. Steel

A code enforcement officer and newly paved roads are some of the everyday municipal services that Mon Valley communities and school districts are forgoing this year, after reassessment of U.S. Steel’s properties.

From North Braddock to Clairton, communities are grappling with more than $1 million in property tax losses this year, even as the company pumps millions into its Mon Valley Works holdings following its acquisition by Nippon Steel. Local leaders are waiting on a countywide reassessment, which could help alleviate the tax losses from assessment appeals.

“We’re just kind of left trying to figure out how to do the best we can with what we have left,” said Cory Ruff, borough manager of North Braddock, which is losing 10% of its property tax take over the next two years as a result of the U.S. Steel appeals.