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City officials are trying to decide whether Gov. Ed Rendell's "early intervention" program for financially-strapped communities is a case of "spending money to make money," or more like a pig in a poke.

At issue is a $92,000 agreement with an information technology expert who is scheduled to review the city's aging computer systems and recommend a replacement.

Entering the governor's early intervention program --- designed to keep municipalities out of Act 47 "distressed" status --- could qualify the city for up to $200,000 in grants to replace those computers.

The state was supposed to front the money for the IT consultant; city taxpayers would have provided incidentals in the form of photocopying, office space and other non-cash assistance.

But with the state cutting $289 million from its budget due to revenue shortfalls, the Department of Community and Economic Development has now asked McKeesport to guarantee up to half of the consultant's fee.

That doesn't sit well with city officials, who plan to meet Monday with a DCED staffer and then decide whether to pursue the program.

Off the record, a few officials wonder how the state could afford to pay $200,000 for new computers if it might not be able to pay the consultant's fees.

Mayor Jim Brewster told city council at Wednesday's meeting that entering the early intervention program does not necessarily mean that the city would seek distressed status, which would put McKeesport under the control of a state-appointed oversight board.

"The state doesn't want communities filing for Act 47, and the last thing the state consultants want to tell you is that you should be filing for Act 47," the mayor said. "But the reality is that like many other communities, we are borderline Act 47. We have been able to be creative so far."

There could be other benefits to the city besides the computer help if it seeks assistance from the early intervention program, Brewster said. Money would be available for state experts to examine other aspects of the city's operations and recommend ways to improve efficiency and save money.

City Administrator Dennis Pittman described it as a "physical" or "checkup" of McKeesport's financial well-being.

Still, upgrading what the mayor called the city's "archaic" computers would be the first and most immediate benefit.

Some members of council, like Councilman Darryl Segina, wondered Wednesday whether the program was worth it.

"It's kind of ironic that we have to spend $46,000 to have someone tell us we're broke," he said.

. . .

In Other Business: Council by 5-0 vote approved the transfer of a vacant lot at 1111 Fifth Ave. to the city Redevelopment Authority, which will in turn sell the lot to McKeesport Candy Company. Councilors Michael Cherepko and Paul Shelly Jr. were absent.

Formerly the site of the Henry B. Klein men's clothing store, that building, which had fallen into disrepair, was torn down this year.

City officials had planned to turn the lot into a small parklet, but were approached by McKeesport Candy and decided to sell it instead. The sale price is $5,000 and costs.

"That will put it back on the tax rolls," Brewster said. "It was always our intention that if we could get some commercial development on that property, we would make it shovel-ready."

The candy wholesaler, which is among the largest on the East Coast, could eventually use it for parking or expanding its present building, officials said.