Philadelphia City Council members took a deeper dive into Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s proposed $6.29 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 (FY ’25) budget during two public hearings this week.
The first budget hearing took place on March 26 featuring testimony on the Mayor’s Five-Year Financial Plan, Capital Program, Mayor’s Office, and the Labor Department. The second hearing, held on March 27, featured the Finance and Revenue Departments, Board of Pensions, and the City Treasurer.
Council also heard from citizens during the first public comment day on the budget on March 27.
Councilmembers peppered Parker’s top aides with questions during the two days of hearings.
“Council takes the duties of vetting and approving a balanced budget seriously, and we look forward to robust discussions with the Administration about the budget in the weeks ahead,” Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) said.
FY’25 budget hearings held in City Hall will be in-person at City Council Chambers. All budget hearings are held before the Committee of the Whole, which is made up of all seventeen councilmembers and chaired by Council President Johnson.
This week’s budget hearings laid the groundwork for several months of budget negotiations. Parker’s proposed budget also calls for keeping tax rates flat and adds resources for law enforcement and other top priorities.
Additional public hearings will happen on April 2-3, 9-10, 15-17, 24, 30 and May 1. The budget hearings are currently scheduled to end on May 1 and the final FY ‘25 budget must be approved by June 30. FY ‘25 starts on July 1.
City Council’s next opportunity for the general public to give comment on the City’s budget will be on Wednesday, April 24 from 1:30-4 p.m. Testimony on the School District of Philadelphia’s funding request to the City will be on Wednesday, May 1 from 1:30-4 p.m.
The general public can testify in person at City Council Chambers during the April 24 and May 1 budget hearings. Speakers interested in making public testimony should call 215-686-3407 or email [email protected] by 3 p.m. the day before the public hearing and submit the following information:
- Full name
- Callback telephone number where you can be reached
- Identify the bill number or resolution number or numbers that will be addressed.
The public can also come to the hearing at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), and sign up to testify on site.
To learn more about Mayor Parker’s budget address, Operating and Capital Budgets, proposed FY25-30 Five Year Plan and other information, visit City Council’s FY’25 Budget page. The FY’25 Budget Hearing Schedule is subject to change so check back often for updates.
The public can also watch the meeting and budget address live on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40 or online at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch.
Council President Johnson also announced that Council will hold several FY’25 budget hearings in various neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia so that all constituents have an opportunity to partake in the budget process or relay budget-related testimony.
Details about dates, times, and locations of the FY’25 Neighborhood Budget hearings will be announced as soon as possible.
PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL HELD ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE HEARINGS AS THE IMPORTANT WORK OF CITY GOVERNMENT CONTINUES
While most of the public’s attention this week was on the FY ’25 budget hearings, Council held Committee hearings on other important issues.
Council’s Commerce & Economic Development Committee held a hearing on March 25 on Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s (3rd District) Resolution #240031 that examined Philadelphia’s capacity to prepare individuals of all educational backgrounds for careers in the growing life sciences industry with a focus on the cell and gene therapy subsector.
The Appropriations Committee recessed a hearing on three bills that deal with the current FY ‘24 budget, which ends on June 30. The hearing is now scheduled for Wednesday, April 3 at 9:00 AM, in City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor) City Hall.
The Appropriations Committee will hear testimony on Bills #240176, #240177 and #240178.
- Bill #240176 would authorize transfers in appropriations for FY ’24 from the General Fund, Grants Revenue Fund and Aviation Fund for certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions.
- Bill #240177 would amend Bill #230145, entitled “An Ordinance To adopt a Fiscal 2024 Capital Budget,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals, all under certain terms and conditions.
- Bill #240178 would amend Bill #230144, entitled “An Ordinance To adopt Capital Program for the Six Fiscal Years 2024-2029 Inclusive,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2024 Capital Budget Ordinance.
Finally, Council’s Rules Committee hearing that was scheduled to have been held on March 25 was cancelled and rescheduled for April 8 at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall.
FIND INFORMATION ON ALL BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS BEING CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL BY GOING TO PHLCOUNCIL.COM
For an update on all bills and resolutions introduced and being considered by City Council, go to the City Council’s Legislative Information Center. The site provides quick and easy public access to information concerning Philadelphia City Council bills and resolutions.
All bills introduced during a Stated (Thursday) Meeting of City Council session must be assigned to a committee that will hold a hearing on the legislation. If the legislation gets voted out of committee, it will go to the floor of City Council where it will eventually receive a vote of passage or non-passage. A bill needs at least nine votes to pass in Council. Any bill approved by Council will then be sent to Mayor Parker for her approval signature or a veto.
Tune into to Philadelphia City Council show “Saturdays with Council” on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM). Twice a month, the show features City Councilmembers discussing the issues that deeply impact Philadelphia.
The next show is Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and will feature discussion on the FY’ 25 budget with Council’s Chief Financial Officer Helen Loughead.
Listen to the show at 900 AM/96.1 FM in Philadelphia or online here.
Philadelphia City Council did not have a Stated Meeting on Thursday, March 28 (Good Friday and Easter holidays). All City offices are closed on Friday, March 29 for Good Friday and will reopen on Monday, April 1.
The next Meeting of City Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 10 a.m. The meeting will take place in person in Council’s Chambers on the 4th floor of Council. It will also air on Xfinity Ch. 64, Fios Channel 40, and stream at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch.
