Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (Second District) invites Philadelphia residents and community leaders to a series of Neighborhood Budget Town Halls to review and provide feedback on the City of Philadelphia’s $6.29 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 (FY ’25) Operating Budget, proposed by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on March 14.
The “Neighborhood Budget Town Halls” will be held during the following dates, locations, and times in April:
Town Hall #1: Hosted by Councilmember Mark Squilla, First District
Date: Wednesday, April 10th
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: South Philadelphia High School, 2101 South Broad Street (corner of Broad Street and Snyder Avenue), Philadelphia, PA 19148.
Town Hall #2: Hosted by Councilmembers Cindy Bass, Eighth District, and Anthony Phillips, Ninth District
Date: Monday, April 15th
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Martin Luther King High School, 6100 Stenton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138.
Town Hall #3: Hosted by Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr., 5th District
Date: Thursday, April 25th
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: John F. Street Community Center, 1100 Poplar Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
Town Hall #4: Hosted by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Third District
Date: Monday, April 29th
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: West Philadelphia High School, 4901 Chestnut Street (corner of 49th and Chestnut Street), Philadelphia, PA 19139.
“Council takes the duties of vetting and approving a balanced and fiscally sound budget that is equitable for all very seriously,” Johnson said. “It is also very important for Councilmembers to hear from Philadelphians about what they want to see in the final FY ’25 Operating and Capital Budgets. The overwhelming majority of Philadelphians cannot come down to City Hall to testify about the budget and that is why Councilmembers are coming to neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Hearing directly from the residents that live in neighborhoods that all 17 Council members represent will play an important role in helping Councilmembers shape the final version of the FY’25 budget.”
During the Neighborhood Budget Town Halls, the public will first hear a brief FY ’25 Budget overview from City Council’s Chief Financial Officer. After the presentation is over, members of the public can testify about what they would like to see or not see in the FY’ 25 budget. Council will hear public feedback from as many people as possible at each event.
The public must register on site to be called up to provide feedback on the budget. The public will also be able to leave written and online feedback via survey at every Town Hall.
Council started on March 26 holding a series of in-person public hearings at Philadelphia City Council Chambers on the proposed operating and capital budget. All budget hearings are currently scheduled to end on May 1.
All budget hearings inside City Hall are open to the public and are held before the Committee of the Whole, which is made up of all seventeen Councilmembers and chaired by Council President Johnson. The budget hearings at Council Chambers can be watched live on Xfinity Channel 64 or Fios Channel 40 if you have cable TV in Philadelphia or online at PHLCouncil.com/watch.
In addition to Neighborhood Budget Town Halls, City Council has scheduled several budget hearing days at City Council Chambers that are reserved for the public to comment on the City’s budget. They will be on Wednesday, April 24 from 1:30-4 p.m. and 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.
Speakers interested in making public testimony should call 215-686-3407 or email [email protected] by 3 p.m. on the day prior to the public testimony session at which they wish to speak. The public can also sign up to testify at the April 24 and May 1 public testimony sessions in person on the day of the hearing by visiting the City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth floor) of City Hall.
The public can read the proposed FY ’25 budget and get the most up-to-date information by going to Council’s FY2025 Budget Center. Budget information is subject to change so check the FY2025 Budget Center for updates.
The FY’ 25 Operating and Capital Budget must be approved by Council and signed into law by June 30. FY ’25 starts on July 1.
