Preliminary Analyses of Mayor Kenney & Governor Wolf’s FY20 Budget Proposals Also Released
Philadelphia, March 22, 2019 – Philadelphia City Council will begin eight weeks of public hearings on Mayor Kenney’s proposed Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget, FY2020 Capital Budget and Program, and FY2020-2024 Five-Year Plan on Monday, March 25, 2019.
In advance of budget hearings, Council’s Finance and Budget Team on Friday released three reports analyzing the following:
- Mayor Kenney’s Proposed FY2020-2024 Five-Year Plan and Economic Update
- City and School District of Philadelphia Fiscal Year 2019 Mid-Year Update
- Governor Wolf’s Proposed FY2019-2020 State Operating Budget
Members of the media and the public are encouraged to review these reports, which will inform questions asked of the Administration and School District by Council.
Council President Darrell L. Clarke (5th District) reiterated members’ request that every department and office be prepared to explain how their daily work and long-term strategies support the City’s goal of reducing poverty, particularly in communities where poverty has historically been concentrated.
“Philadelphia is well on the path to long-term fiscal stability, thanks to years of responsible budget-making and reforms, particularly those implemented by the Board of Pensions,” Council President Clarke said. “We are obligated to now make even bolder investments in policies and programs, including those detailed in our Narrowing the Gap report, that will make meaningful, sustainable reductions in poverty in the City of Philadelphia. Poverty touches every quality-of-life challenge we face — from access to quality education, to illness and disease, to public safety. I look forward to continued collaboration with Mayor Kenney’s administration and our state and federal delegations toward making sure every Philadelphian is housed and has access to health care, that every senior retires with dignity, and that every child receives a great quality public education.”
All City departments and offices are required to transmit budget testimony to Council for release to the public ahead of hearings. Departments and offices with operating budgets under $5 million are not required to appear before Council but may be called upon request. Documents and testimonies submitted to Council are posted on Council’s FY2020 Budget Center: PHLCouncil.com/budget2020/.
The public is welcome to participate in the budget process by attending hearings in Council Chambers or watching meetings live on the City of Philadelphia’s cable channels (64 on Xfinity, 40 on Fios) or livestream (phlcouncil.com/watch). Telecasts of public meetings are re-aired on government cable channels and posted on Council’s YouTube channel.
The public is invited to testify on FY2020 budget proposals on the following dates:
- Monday, April 15, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. (all departments and programs)
- Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. (Tax Bills)
- Wednesday, May 15, 2019, all day starting at 10:00 a.m. (School District)
Members of the public may present written testimony at any time and sign up for public testimony via e-mail to [email protected]. Persons not having access to e-mail or needing further information may call 215-686-3407.
Hearing dates and times are subject to change. The public is encouraged to check the City Council Budget Center regularly for updates and to subscribe to Council’s public meetings calendar (www.tinyurl.com/phillycouncilcalendar).
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