Mentions

PICA’s July 2025 newsletter highlights the Board’s approval of the City of Philadelphia’s FY2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan, insights from PICA’s accompanying Staff Report, and the re-election of PICA Board officers for FY2026.

The vote by the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority is the final step in the city’s annual budgeting process.

PICA’s June 2025 newsletter highlights a new analysis of Philadelphia’s recent track record on special initiative spending, including challenges with project delivery and underspending. It also previews the upcoming FY26–30 Five-Year Financial Plan Staff Report, shares updates on tax revenues YTD, and announces the Annual Meeting of the Board on July 28th at 11am.

PICA’s May 2025 newsletter highlights FY25 Q3 updates on tax revenues and overtime spending, and highlighting a new publication explaining how the City of Philadelphia authorizes borrowing through bond ordinances. It also announces the next Board meeting on June 17.

PICA’s April 2025 newsletter highlights the publication “When Is a Budget Cut Not a Budget Cut?”, explaining that not all reductions indicate real service cuts. It also highlights PICA’s oversight role in blog pieces about the PICA Act, and the ICA. Finally, in includes the launch of PICA’s redesigned website.

PICA’s March 2025 newsletter highlights the City’s proposed FY26–30 Five-Year Plan, projecting declining fund balances and operating deficits. It also notes continued staffing shortages and recommends that the City consolidate the Sheriff and Register of Wills offices.

PICA’s February 2025 newsletter highlights a higher-than-planned FY25 fund balance and rising overtime costs, and Executive Director Marisa Waxman’s City Council testimony on improved pension funding and ongoing fiscal risks. Also including, takeaways from PICA’s annual economist forum, and the Board approved PICA’s FY26 Budget, including a year-end fund balance for the first time.

PICA’s January 2025 newsletter highlights the reappointment of all Board members and Executive Director Marisa Waxman, insights into Philadelphia’s budget classifications, and the role of tax-exempt bonds in infrastructure financing. It also includes an update on FY2025 tax revenues and announces the upcoming Board meeting on February 25.

PICA’s FY26 budget totals $1.69 million in expenditures, funded primarily by a surplus from the operating account, with a modest transfer from the PICA Tax and projected interest earnings. Expenditures are down 4% from FY25, largely due to the completion of one-time initiatives, and the budget introduces a 17% fund balance consistent with best practices.

PICA’s December 2024 newsletter highlights the City’s continued underspending in FY2024, updated revenue figures through October, and an overview of recent hiring trends. It also includes a year-end message from the Executive Director and a reminder about the next Board meeting on January 28.

PICA’s November 2024 newsletter highlights the City’s improving tax collections, a drop in FY2024 overtime spending, and takeaways from PICA’s recent report on grants administration. It also recaps the November Board meeting and previews upcoming publications and events.

PICA’s October 2024 newsletter highlights the Fall Conference on intergovernmental cooperation, findings from PICA’s new report on grants administration, and a deeper look at FY2024 overtime spending. It also provides updates on local tax revenues through August and announces the next Board meeting on November 19.