City Hall Roll Call, March 6th 2025
City Budget Primer
Welcome to Thursday’s City Hall Roll Call, powered by The Committee of Seventy.
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Welcome to City Hall Roll Call, a summary of City Council’s weekly Stated Meeting. Reminder, the information provided below is not an official or complete record. City Council’s official legislative database can be accessed through Legistar.
For a full play-by-play of the Council session, including speeches and public comment, be sure to Blue Sky.
Session Recap:
Today was the last Council Stated Meeting prior to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s (D) annual budget address to City Council, marking the formal start of budget season. The Mayor will present her budget at next Thursday’s session (3/13).
Substantive legislative introductions were sparse today, with only a handful of bills offered by members. Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd) and Rue Landau (D-AL) co-sponsored a bill that would extend “the deadline for low-income tax payers to apply for a refund or forgiveness of Real Estate Taxes.” As described in a joint press release issued by their offices, the bill would push back the 2025 application deadline from February 28th to September 30th. In addition, the bill would “also permit the retroactive qualification for future applicants as well as institute an auto-enrollment process for the Department of Revenue to proactively register qualified applicants.”
Today’s final passage calendar was a lengthy one due to a large number of bills reported out of the Streets and Services Committee last week. While the vast majority of the Streets bills were of an administrative nature authorizing various encroachments, three of the bills passed created new bike lanes in the 5th Councilmanic District, represented by Councilmember Jeffrey Young (D-5th). The new lanes will be installed at the following locations:
North 22nd Street, from Spring Garden Street to Green Street;
North 13th Street, from Cecil B. Moore Avenue to Diamond Street; and,
North 23rd Street between Race Street and Market Street.
Philly Budget 101
In advance of next Thursday’s budget address, I am sharing a budget explainer I wrote in partnership with the Committee of Seventy for its “How Philly Works” guide. If you haven’t yet gotten a chance to read it, please check it out and share. It’s an incredible resource for residents wanting to learn more about how their government operates, or who are interested in becoming a more engaged citizen.
Today, I’m highlighting the section of the guide on the City budget to help you get a better understanding of the budget process and how our tax dollars are allocated and spent.
City Council’s Budget Role
Following the Mayor’s budget address and the introduction of the necessary legislation by a member, Council will hold a series of public hearings on the proposed budget. The budget hearings are held before the Committee of the Whole, made up of all seventeen Councilmembers. Unlike other council hearings, which provide an opportunity for the public to speak, most budget hearings do not feature public testimony. Rather, each hearing is dedicated to a specific topic or department. At the bottom of the newsletter, you will find an initial schedule for the next month’s budget hearings, which will be updated from time to time as the budget process unfolds.
Budget hearings are an opportunity for Councilmembers to engage directly with department leaders, ask questions about programming and operational decisions and get updates about the effectiveness or status of ongoing projects. Every major department and agency funded through the City budget is included in the hearing process, save one—City Council itself.
The final hearing days are typically reserved for the public to comment on the city’s budget. But while the public-facing process unfolds, there is a lot of negotiation going on behind the scenes. Many Councilmembers negotiate directly with the Mayor around their own priorities. In recent years, Council-driven negotiations have led to additional resources for gun violence prevention programming, library resources and commercial corridor cleanup, above the increases originally proposed by the Mayor. It is incredibly difficult to track these individual negotiations, which are all captured in a final omnibus amendment to the budget bills.
A number of budget bills will be introduced at next Thursday’s session. These include the City’s operating budget, the capital budget and the Five-Year Plan. First up is the operating budget which constitutes the majority of the city’s spending plan.
The City Operating Budget
Money In
Last year’s operating budget included approximately $6.37 billion in spending. The budget supports core municipal functions like policing and law enforcement, firefighting, trash collection, parks and libraries, as well as the internal costs of running the city (e.g., fleet management, legal services, equipment and materials). Most of this spending is funded through taxpayer dollars.
The three biggest sources of tax revenue are:
The City Wage Tax, which is paid by Philadelphians and non-Philadelphia residents working in the City. The Wage Tax accounts for approximately 30% of the City’s tax revenue—over $1.96 billion dollars annually.
The city portion of the Real Estate Tax, which generates approximately $925 million a year, or 14% of the City’s revenue. Fifty-six percent of the total real estate tax funds go to the School District of Philadelphia.
The Business Income and Receipts Tax, which brings the city around $617 million annually, or ~10%. This is a tax on both the profits and revenue of businesses operating in Philadelphia.
City Council sets these tax rates in law, but the revenue generated can vary, sometimes dramatically, depending on the economy. For example, in FY2025 budget, the Business and Income Receipt estimates fell to $617 million, from $700 million in the FY2024 budget estimates.
Money Out
Every allocation in the City budget can be put in one of 7 main buckets of spending. Some of these buckets are “discretionary,” meaning the City can choose how much to allocate. Other buckets are “non-discretionary” meaning the City has a legal obligation to fully fund that resource. For example, the City is legally required to put a certain amount of money into the employee pension fund, which makes up a significant portion of overall expenses. On the other hand, funding for many of the city’s operating departments like Parks and Recreation is discretionary; the City can allocate as much or as few resources as it chooses.
Another important thing to understand is that there are two main revenue collection accounts for City spending. First, the general fund is the main account used by the City to collect the various tax and revenue streams. The second is the grants fund, through which federal, state and local grants flow.
Bucket 1: Public Safety
The City spends approximately 30% of general revenue funds on the various departments responsible for public safety in the City. This includes Police, Fire, Prisons, and Court System (local courts, District Attorney and Public Defender). The funding to these agencies is a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary spending.
Bucket 2: Pension and Benefits
While much of City spending goes to pay the salaries of current employees, a significant chunk of its expenditures goes toward the pension obligations of retired employees. Approximately 27% of general revenue funds is paid towards Pension and Benefit obligations. This spending is non-discretionary as it includes the City’s mandatory annual payment to the Pension Fund and the cost of the collectively bargained fringe benefits for City employees, such as health and medical insurance.
Bucket 3: Government Administration
The administrative cost of running the City includes such things as offices, IT services, leases, building management and fleet management. The city spends around 8% of revenue funds on these items.
Bucket 4: City Services and Economic Development
While most residents’ regular interaction with city services revolves around trash pick-up, parks and recreation or a trip to their neighborhood library, the funding of these services constitutes under 10% of revenue spending. The Streets Department, which is responsible both for sanitation services and street repair throughout the city, only makes up around 2.6% of the total City budget. Parks and Recreation and the entire library system make up only slightly over 1% of the total budget.
Bucket 5: Education
The City’s contribution to the School District of Philadelphia, funding for Pre-K and Community Schools and support for the Community College of Philadelphia makes up around 7% of the City budget. The City’s contribution to the School District must be maintained, and so while the City could choose to contribute more, it cannot reduce the amount of the contribution over time. The School District receives a significant portion of its funding through the state with a total budget of around $4.5 billion.
Bucket 6: Health and Human Services
The City spends around 7% of its general fund revenue on providing health and human service support. Like the School District of Philadelphia, the city’s contribution is only a small part of the total amount spent by the city on these services. The majority of funding in this bucket comes from state and federal grants, which are not included in the general fund, but rather the grants fund.
Bucket 7: Debt Service
The City doesn’t just run on money it collects from taxpayers. Rather, it borrows money through the sale of municipal bonds. This money funds long term capital improvements to city infrastructure. Around 5% of the City budget goes to service this debt - essentially interest payments to bondholders. This spending is nondiscretionary,
Other Budget Documents
In addition to the Operating Budget, which we discussed above, there are two other budget documents you should be familiar with: the Capital Budget and the Five-Year Plan.
The Capital Budget funds major improvements to city facilities and infrastructure. Money to pay staffers at a recreation center is allocated from the Operating Budget; money to pay for a new roof at the recreation center is allocated from the Capital Budget. Money for the Capital Budget typically comes from long-term borrowing through the issuance of municipal bonds. This type of borrowing and long-term debt must be approved by voters through ballot questions.
The Five-Year Plan is exactly what it sounds like — a five-year outlook on the city’s fiscal plan. In 1991, the City of Philadelphia was in the midst of a severe financial crisis and went to the Commonwealth for assistance. In exchange for providing the City with financial assistance, the Commonwealth created the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) to oversee the City’s financial planning and budget processes. As part of its annual budget process, the City is required to present its Five-Year Plan to the PICA board for approval to ensure that its revenue projections and spending plan are reasonable and will result in a balanced budget.
The Public’s Role in the Budget Process
One of the most frequent questions from residents is how they can have a bigger influence on the City’s budget. There are a few ways to effectively advocate for more resources in your community. One way would be to reach out directly to your City Councilmember and let them know about the importance of the issue to you as their constituent. You could also sign-up to testify at a public budget hearing and provide your feedback to the Councilmembers.
However, as the saying goes, there is strength in numbers. Before you set out on your own, check to see if there is a group that has already organized around that issue. Whether it’s park access or library funding, after-school resources or literacy programs, there is usually a non-profit or friends group organized around a particular issue. Not only does working with a group give you strength in numbers, many of these groups coordinate campaigns and activities for their members specifically around the budget process.
FY2025-2026 Budget
Mayor Cherelle Parker will deliver her budget address at the next scheduled City Council Stated Meeting, Thursday, March 13th at 10 a.m. You can watch live on Channel 64 or stream through PHLCouncil.com. Council stands adjourned until then.
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Subject Matter)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
🏗️ Construction / Zoning
Bill amending Chapter 14-516 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/WST, West Overlay District,” by providing for new digital sign controls. (Gauthier)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill amending Chapter 19-4600 of Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Low-Income Tax Provisions,” by extending the deadline for low-income taxpayers to apply for a refund or forgiveness of Real Estate Taxes. (Gauthier / Landau)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 118 by striking from the City Plan and vacating a widened portion of Warnock Street, on the westerly side thereof between Berks Street and Norris Street, and relocating the westerly houseline of said Warnock Street so as to align with the westerly houseline of the unaffected portions of Warnock Street as extending from Berks Street to Norris Street. (Young)
Bill authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 22 Wolf St, Philadelphia, PA 19148. (Squilla)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution opposing any attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education or slash federal funding for public school programs that support low-income students and students with disabilities. (Thomas)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to investigate federal DEI program rollbacks and their effects on Philadelphia’s tax-exempt higher education institutions. (Jones)
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Member)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st)
B: Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 22 Wolf St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
B: Amending Chapter 19-4600 of Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Low-Income Tax Provisions,” by extending the deadline for low-income taxpayers to apply for a refund or forgiveness of Real Estate Taxes.
B: Amending Chapter 14-516 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/WST, West Overlay District,” by providing for new digital sign controls.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Education to investigate federal DEI program rollbacks and their effects on Philadelphia’s tax-exempt higher education institutions.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
B: Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 118 by striking from the City Plan and vacating a widened portion of Warnock Street, on the westerly side thereof between Berks Street and Norris Street, and relocating the westerly houseline of said Warnock Street so as to align with the westerly houseline of the unaffected portions of Warnock Street as extending from Berks Street to Norris Street.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
R: Opposing any attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education or slash federal funding for public school programs that support low-income students and students with disabilities.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 250130 (Brooks): Condemning the unconstitutional actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency to dismantle the federal government.
🏆 250157 (Jones): Renaming the 2000 block of N 59th Street “Will Smith Way” to honor and celebrate the impactful career and legacy of Will Smith, a West Philadelphia native.
🏆 250163 (Young): Also naming the 2900 Block of Dauphin Street as “James Blocker Way.”
🗣️ 250165 (Johnson): Denouncing Senator Rand Paul’s National Right to Work Act as detrimental to labor, as it undermines workers’ collective bargaining rights, weakens union power, and threatens worker protections.
🗣️ 250167 (O’Rourke): Recognizing inadequate heating standards in rental housing across Philadelphia and emphasizing the need to efficiently and comprehensively address heating issues throughout the City.
🏆 250168 (Driscoll): Honoring the Father Judge High School Boys' Basketball Team for winning the 2025 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship and celebrating their remarkable achievement.
🏆 250171 (Ahmad): Recognizing the critical importance of legal representation in protecting the rights of immigrants when interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and encouraging all immigrant serving organizations to promote legal resources.
🏆 250178 (Phillips): Recognizing March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" and Promoting Public Awareness of the Risks and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer.
🏆 250179 (Phillips): Welcoming, Recognizing, and Commending Morehouse College and the "Get On The Bus" Initiative for Their Dedication to Mentorship, Leadership, and Community Empowerment in Philadelphia.
🏆 250180 (Johnson): A resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of Odunde, the largest African American street festival in the United States, and its impact on African and African American heritage, culture, and community.
🏆 250181 (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing March 2-8, 2025, during Women’s History Month, as Women in Construction (WIC) Week in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 250182 (Thomas): Recognizing The Pennsylvania Municipal League, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s oldest municipal association and one of five of the oldest in the nation, as it celebrates its 125th Anniversary.
🏆 250184 (Jones): Honoring and recognizing the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. - Pennsylvania Chapter (NC100BWPA) on their annual Legislative Day and for their dedication to advancing gender and racial equity and empowering Black women, during Women’s History Month.
⚖️ 250185 (Jones): Authorizing the Committee on Education to investigate federal DEI program rollbacks and their effects on Philadelphia’s tax-exempt higher education institutions.
🏆 250186 (Landau): Honoring and congratulating Colman Domingo for his second Oscar nomination for the Best Actor in a Leading Role Award at the 97th Academy Awards, for his role as John “Divine G” Whitfield in the film Sing Sing.
🏆 250187 (Landau): Declaring March 2-8, 2025 as Teen Tech Week in the City of Philadelphia, and recognizing the importance of digital literacy to empower teens to be informed and responsible digital citizens.
🏆 250188 (Landau): Declaring March 2-8, 2025 as National Consumer Protection Week in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 250189 (Lozada): Resolution Recognizing March as Women’s History Month in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 250190 (Brooks): Recognizing, celebrating, and expressing gratitude to Charlene Samuels for her leadership and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of her neighbors in Logan, and her years of tireless and selfless service to the City of Philadelphia and its constituents, on the occasion of Women’s History Month.
🏆 250191 (Brooks): Honoring and commending Sonia Garrett for her constant service to her community and her tireless devotion to improving the lives of her neighbors in Logan, North Philadelphia, on the occasion of Women’s History Month.
🏆 250192 (Driscoll): Proclaiming the Month of March 2025 as Irish Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia and Honoring the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association of Philadelphia.
🏆 250193 (Squilla): Honoring and congratulating the Neumann-Goretti girls basketball team on winning the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship.
🏆 250194 (Johnson): A resolution thanking A. Bruce Crawley, founder of Millenium 3 Management, the African American Chamber of Commerce, and a founding member of Visit Philadelphia, for his decades of leadership and invaluable contributions to the business, hospitality, and political communities in Philadelphia.
Bills:
💸 250071 (Johnson): An Ordinance to amend Bill No. 240182 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled “An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2025-2030 inclusive,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2025 Capital Budget Ordinance.
💸 250072 (Johnson): Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 from the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Transportation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
💸 250073 (Johnson): An Ordinance to amend Bill No. 240181 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled “An Ordinance To adopt a Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals.
🚦 241081 (Gauthier): Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 229 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
🚦 241083 (Squilla): Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 1148-50 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147.
🚦 241107 (Young): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: N. 18th street between Wood street and Callowhill street; Vine street between N. 18th street and N. 19th street; Callowhill street between N. 18th street and N. 19th street; N. 17th street between Callowhill street and Wood street; Thompson street between N. 18th street and N. 17th street; Harold street between N. 22nd street and N. 23rd street.
🚦 250002 (Gauthier): Authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 546 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
🚦 250004 (Jones): Amending an Ordinance (Bill No. 230577), approved November 13, 2023, entitled “Granting permission to Wynnefield/Overbrook Eruv Association, in order to demarcate the boundaries of a Wynnefield/Overbrook eruv district, to construct and maintain a clear nylon cord and other ancillary facilities including a maximum of one hundred poles and forty-five pieces of plexiglass along, over, and in certain public rights-of-way and City streets, and/or to attach such demarcation facilities to existing facilities owned by other entities authorized by other City ordinances, subject to such owner’s consent; all under certain terms and conditions,” by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein.
🚦 250005 (Young): Amending Chapter 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Designation of Bicycle Lanes,” to authorize a bicycle lane on North 22nd Street, from Spring Garden Street to Green Street and remove a travel lane on North 22nd Street within the same limits.
🚦 250006 (Young): Amending Chapter 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Designation of Bicycle Lanes,” to authorize a bicycle lane on N. 13th Street, from Cecil B. Moore Avenue to Diamond Street.
🚦 250007 (Young): Amending Chapter 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Designation of Bicycle Lanes,” to authorize a bicycle lane on N. 23rd Street between Race Street and Market Street.
🚦 250008 (Squilla): Authorizing the vacating of Clarion Street from Addison Street to its terminus northwardly therefrom and the reserving and plotting upon City Plan No. 308 of a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes and water main purposes within the lines of said Clarion Street being vacated and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said right of way.
🚦 250009 (Squilla): Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 542 Christian St., Philadelphia, PA 19147.
🚦 250046 (Driscoll): Authorizing the opening of a right of way to the public on land near the intersection of the southeasterly side of Bath Street and southwesterly side of Victoria Streets, all being land owned by the City.
🚦 250047 (Squilla): Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 1525 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
🚦 250048 (Squilla): Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 2049 East Hagert St, Philadelphia, PA 19125.
🚦 250049 (Squilla): Authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 1625 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148.
🚦 250069 (Squilla): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Wildey Street between Columbia Avenue and Earl Street; Dunton Street between Wildey Street and Girard Avenue; Earl Street between Girard Avenue and Wildey Street; S. 7th Street between Johnston Street and Bigler Street.
🚦 250070 (Squilla): Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of York street between Almond street and Mercer street; Clarion street between Dickinson street and Tasker Street; Ellsworth street between S. 7th street and S. 8th street; Annin street between Marshall street and S. 7th street; Ellsworth street between Passyunk avenue and S. 9th street; Pierce street between S. 12th street and S. 11th street; McClellan street between S. 9th street and S. 10th street; Jackson street between S. 5th street and S. 6th street; Cross street between S. 5th street and S. 4th street; S. 5th street between Morris street and Tasker street.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Tuesday, March 11th
Committee on Streets and Services, 10:00 AM - the committee will consider a number of bills including, a bill to impose additional penalties on violators of underground permitting requirements and a bill to authorize automatic speed enforcement systems to various areas of the city.
Wednesday, March 19th
Committee on Rules, 2:00 PM - the committee will consider a bill to update the Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District maps to reflect recent redistricting changes.
Tuesday, March 25th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Five-Year Plan & Capital Program (10:30-12:30)
Mayor’s Office (1:30-4:30 PM)
Wednesday, March 26th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Finance Group (10:00-12:30)
Department of Finance
Board of Pensions
City Treasurer & Sinking Fund
Department of Revenue
Office of Property Assesments
Tax Bills
Public Testimony (1:30-4:00)
Tax Bills
Tuesday, April 1st (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Chief Administrative Office Group (10:00-12:30)
Chief Administrative Office
Office of Human Resources
Office of Innovation & Technology
Procurement
Children and Families Group (1:30-4:00)
Human Services
Mayor’s Office of Education
Wednesday, April 2nd (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Office of Clean and Green Group (10:00-12:30)
Sanitation
Office of Clean and Green
Philadelphia Energy Authority
Transportation Group (1:30-4:00)
Streets
Water
Aviation