A proposed $72 million debt refinancing by Pittsburgh, expected to net $3 million in savings, is facing one city councilman's high-noon deadline today and a Wednesday showdown in City Council over how to spend any windfall.

Council Finance Chairman William Peduto said yesterday that he wants answers to questions about the way professionals are being chosen to handle the refinancing, how they will be paid and how city debt payments will change.

"I want the answers by [today] at noon," he said. That would give him enough time to digest them before council members meet with city financial consultants Fairmount Capital Advisors on Monday, leading to a Wednesday vote on the refinancing plan.

If he doesn't get the information, he said, he will seek to delay the vote. The vote is time sensitive because the administration wants the debt refinanced before a Sept. 1 payment is due.

"Council has been informed from the very, very beginning of this process," said city Finance Director Scott Kunka. Some members, including Mr. Peduto, were notified July 14. "It's very disingenuous for Councilman Peduto to say he hasn't been informed.

"The people who are going to make out on this deal are the taxpayers of the city of Pittsburgh."

Mr. Peduto sent an e-mail to fellow council members, the Act 47 recovery team and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, or ICA, suggesting that savings from the refinancing should go toward reducing the city's debt, pension, retiree health care and workers' compensation shortfalls.

Other council members argue that the money saved should address grinding city needs.

"I think it should be [used for] repaving, demolition and security camera installation," said Councilwoman Tonya Payne.

"All $3 million should be used for paving, for good reasons," said Councilman Jim Motznik. Some areas of the city have seen no repaving yet this year, and rising prices have burned a hole in the asphalt budget.

He said he would also support shoring up the pension system.

The city's overseers have sought information on the refinancing plan.

ICA Executive Director Henry Sciortino said he had not received details as of yesterday morning. He said that, depending on how the refinancing affects the city's budget, the ICA may or may not have to approve it.

He is a former employee of Philadelphia-based Fairmount Capital Advisors. He and Fairmount have been involved in lengthy litigation surrounding his 2004 departure from the firm.

Earlier this week, James Roberts, co-leader of the Act 47 recovery team, said the ICA would review the details first and then share them with his team.