The state-picked Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority today approved Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's proposed 2010 budget, but only on the condition that he flesh out an amorphous $15 million bid for money from college students and hospital patients.

Mr. Ravenstahl's proposed levies on students and hospital patients -- he recently floated a 1 percent tax on tuition and a 0.1 percent tax on hospital bills -- are "not supported by appropriate legislation," said ICA board Chair Barbara McNees. "We need to see the detail, the legislation" that will govern the fees, she said after the board's meeting.

"Until they have or can find a means to replace that $15 million, it is a conditional approval of the budget," she said. There are some good things in the budget, she added, so the board didn't reject it, but "it is not a complete budget until they meet those conditions."

She said the city may or may not need state legislation to tap hospital or tuition bills, but at this time it doesn't even have city legislation describing the proposed levies. "There's no breakdown on it, other than a $15 million filler, so that needs to be addressed."

The city must resubmit the budget, she said, but did not set a deadline. Under the city code, a final, balanced budget must be submitted to city council in early November, and approved by year's end.

Mr. Ravenstahl has said that increased water rates for educational and medical institutions or a surcharge on all-day parking in public garages also may help fill the $15 million gap. The city needs most of that money to cover increased payments into its ailing pension fund.

The ICA also demanded a "fully executed document" merging the city's and Allegheny County's computer systems, but did not set a firm deadline for that measure, which the panel has pushed for years. Ms. McNees said the city has made good, recent progress toward buying into a computer system that would be hosted by the county and also could serve related authorities.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.