Warning: This might get some folks p.o. at the PIO

Warning: This might p.o. some advertisers and/or taxpayers. The mtl Magazine Ad Revenue for 2016 spreadsheet is here.

It appears that many advertisers are getting reduced pricing. Lebo Citizens reader and watchdog Nick M. ran a quick check and found the following discrepancies.

Howard Hanna should be paying $2180 per issue, they get billed $1962…loss of $2180 per year

Coldwell Banker should be paying $2615 per issue, they get billed $2353…loss of $2620 per year  

Berkshire Hathaway pays full price but Howard Hanna and Coldwell Banker get a huge discount.  

Sewickley Spa should have paid $1855 for their ad, they got billed $1000…loss of $855  

Knepper Press should have paid $695 for 7 ads, they got billed $0…loss of $4865   

Jade Grill should be paying $1755 each for 2 ads but only paid $1000 each…loss of $1510  

Quite a few more too. 

I was happy to report that the PIO had a 2017 budget cut of $4,070,  but as Nick pointed out, "There was a one-time $10,500 expenditure added as a service level in 2016 to redesign the lebomag website. That expenditure won't be needed in 2017." The PIO 2017 Budget essentially had a net increase of $6,430!

So why are some advertisers getting a special deal?  Why did the PIO get a net increase of $6,430? Why does Howard Hanna get a special break? Is it because a commissioner is employed by Howard Hanna? Why does the Library get billed for advertising? Public Works? Why do Outreach and Medical Rescue Team South have to pay for advertising when they receive funding from MTL? Why does Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center pay for advertising? They are one of the larger advertisers in the magazine.  How can the PIO get away with all of this?