Guide to the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners Minute Books, 1862-1999
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Allegheny County Board of Commissioners Minute Books
- Creator
- Allegheny County (Pa.). Board of Commissioners
- Collection Number
- MSS 1062
- Extent
- 240 linear feet linear feet 60 volumes
- Date
- 1862-1999
- Abstract
- The Allegheny County Board of Commissioners superintended county legislative and executive affairs until its replacement by the County Council in 2000. The Allegheny County Board of Commissioners Minute Books consist of 60 volumes which document commissioner deeds relating to the administration of local governance. Entries detail the approval and amendment of legislation, and the authorization and review of matters related to county programs, projects and personnel.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
The Allegheny County Board of Commissioners formed the seat of county administrative authority after its formation in 1788. Commissioner boards, which originated as fiscal managers within the county system prior to American independence, eventually incorporated greater legislative power. The traditionally three-member Allegheny County Board of Commissioners acted as the superintending body of county legislative and executive affairs until its replacement by the County Council in 2000. The Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County, which passed in 1998 and was enacted in 2000, abolished the board of commissioners in favor of the County Council, a body of fifteen elected district representatives. The charter also conferred executive powers to a County Executive, stipulated limitations on taxes and Council expenses, and imposed a regular timetable of departmental reviews. The County Council retains many former commissioner responsibilities, including those to approve and amend legislation, adopt an annual county budget, and authorize or refer matters related to county programs, property, projects and personnel. Notable past commissioners include John J. Kane (1937-1960); Tom Foerster (1967-1999) who initiated plans for home rule in Allegheny County; and former mayor and United States Deputy Attorney General Pete Flaherty (1984-1996).
Scope and Content Notes
The Board of County Commissioners Minute Books consist of 60 volumes. Board of County Commissioner minute books are a recording of all Commissioner meetings and range in date from 1862 through 1999. Commissioner minutes record various authorizations and referrals relating to municipal building projects, appointments, contracts, elections, taxes, assessments, sales and purchases, and other actions. Each entry states the meeting date, commissioners present, and bears the signature of the chief clerk recording the minutes. Minutes of the County Council, which replaced the Board of Commissioners in 2000, have been made available online via the official website of Allegheny County.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transfer from Allegheny County on July 6, 2015.
Preferred Citation
Allegheny County Board of Commissioners, 1862-1999, MSS 1062, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Carly Lough in July 2015.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
The Allegheny County Institution District Minute Books have been processed as MSS 1063
Subjects
- Allegheny County (Pa.) Board of Commissioners.
- Allegheny County (Pa.) County Council.
- Allegheny County (Pa.)
- County officials and employees--Pennsylvania--Allegheny County.
- County government--law and legislations--Pennsylvania--Allegheny County.