Above: Mayor’s Proposed Budget, Department Testimony, Hearing Transcripts & Video, and Opportunities for Input to Encourage Civic Engagement
Philadelphia, March 18, 2015 – Philadelphia City Council on Wednesday launched the FY2016 Budget Center, a constantly updating online hub of documents, transcripts and video of the City’s budget hearing process.
The City Council Budget Center — https://phlcouncil.com/BudgetCenter/ — will also allow members of the public to watch hearings live via the Channel 64 livestream.
There are 15 scheduled dates for testimony on the City Five-Year Plan and operating and capital budgets, including five public testimony hearings. In addition, one full day is reserved for public testimony on the School District of Philadelphia’s FY2016 budget, which is expected to be delivered to City Council in mid to late April.
Citing disappointment at low public attendance of last year’s budget hearings, Council President Clarke Darrell L. Clarke encouraged members of the public to engage with Council’s budget hearing process in person and online.
“Last year, City Council announced the Community Sustainability Initiative (CSI), which will use data and public input to help us make smarter, more strategic budget choices. But we absolutely need Philadelphians from every neighborhood and every community to engage with us so that we know where to target resources and funding,” Council President Clarke said.
“In the coming weeks, Council will open the floor to the public for testimony on six separate dates, including two hearings in Philadelphia neighborhoods outside of City Hall. This City Council exists to serve the public, and we encourage the public to come out to participate in the finalization of the FY2016 operating and capital budgets and Five-Year Plan for Philadelphia,” Council President Clarke continued.
The public is invited to testify on the FY2016 City budget on the following dates:
- Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 5:45 p.m. in City Hall
- Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall
- Wednesday, May 6, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at a neighborhood location to be announced
- Wednesday, May 13, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at a neighborhood location to be announced
- Thursday, May 21, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall
The public is invited to testify on the FY2016 School District of Philadelphia budget on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dates and times are subject to change. Check the City Council Budget Center regularly for updates.
Members of the public may present written testimony at any time. This testimony should be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. Persons not having access to e-mail or needing further information may call 215-686-3407.
