Philadelphia, February 4, 2021 – Today, Councilmember Derek Green (At-Large) offered an amendment updating the requirements for city employees and elected officials expected to file the annual financial disclosure form.
The main two updates proposed by the bill seek to right-size the universe of city employees and appointees subject to the city’s financial disclosure requirements. The first would ensure that all executive branch employees who head departments, offices or agencies or are part of the Mayor’s Cabinet, file disclosures to prevent current gaps in reporting. The second major component would eliminate one barrier to public participation by exempting members of advisory boards and commissions. However, members of boards and commissions that exercise significant powers, like the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Board of Revision of Taxes, would still be obligated to file a financial disclosure form.
“This bill is another step on the path to a more transparent and accessible city government by
balancing the need to ensure all executive management must disclose their finances and encourage and empower all citizens to participate in local government as we identify priorities and help set the city’s agenda,” said Councilmember Green. “I am proud to continue to work, in partnership with the Board of Ethics and the Administration, to ensure these changes to our annual requirements.”
In addition, the amendment also raises the threshold of disclosing specific sources of direct or indirect income by city employee filers from $500 to anything exceeding $5,000. Most of the ordinance, including the positions affected, will take effect immediately, while changes that require an update to the Board of Ethics disclosure system will take effect in January 1, 2022.
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