With legislation related to proposed H.O.M.E. Initiative borrowing set for introduction this week, it’s a good time for a refresher on how bond authorization works in the City of Philadelphia. When the City plans major long-term investments, it must obtain City Council authorization to borrow funds—though authorization does not automatically mean borrowing occurs immediately. Borrowing…

This reserve category sets aside funds to address potential but undefined fiscal risks, such as labor contract costs or federal funding reductions. From FY14 to FY24, Class 900 appropriations averaged $56.6 million annually, with funds transferred to departments when needed. While the balance of these reserves varies based on fiscal conditions, they provide critical flexibility…

Class 800 tracks transfers from the General Fund to other City funds, such as the Water Fund, Housing Trust Fund, and Budget Stabilization Reserve (BSR), as well as operating dollars allocated to capital projects. Spending in this category is highly variable and has grown significantly since FY14 due to new City Charter mandates and expanded…

This spending category covers the City’s repayment of general obligation debt, including interest, principal, and related costs. From FY14 to FY24, debt service remained stable as a share of the General Fund, averaging 3.3% annually. Most spending supports long-term debt tied to capital investments, with limited use of short-term borrowing due to improved fund balances…

The FY23 Quarterly Overtime Report for Q2 shows a 36.2% increase in overtime spending compared to FY22, with total expenditures reaching $133.4 million, the highest Q2 total on record.

PICA’s Philadelphia Pension Fund Fact Sheet examines the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce its unfunded pension liability and stabilize pension costs. The report highlights that the City contributed nearly $833 million to the Pension Fund in FY24—four times the normal cost of benefits earned—while projecting the fund to reach 80% funding by FY29 and full funding by FY33.

PICA’s Grants Revenue Fund Fact Sheet reviews the City’s reliance on federal, state, and private grant funding, which accounted for $1.5 billion in revenue in FY23, with the largest share supporting human services and public health programs.

The FY23 Quarterly Overtime Report for Q3 finds that overtime spending increased by 26.5% from FY22, reaching $193.1 million, the highest Q3 total on record.

The FY23 Staffing and Overtime Report analyzes staffing shortages in Philadelphia’s municipal workforce, linking vacancies to a 44% increase in overtime spending since FY18.

The fourth quarter FY23 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $5.93 billion, $224.8 million above the Five-Year Plan, while obligations have increased to $6.06 billion, $214.8 million higher than expected. The final year-end fund balance is estimated at $682.5 million, $310.3 million above the Five-Year Plan estimate, representing 11.3% of obligations​.

The third quarter FY23 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $5.89 billion, $189.7 million above the Five-Year Plan, while obligations have risen to $6.08 billion, $237.3 million higher than projected. The year-end fund balance is projected at $614.9 million, $242.7 million above prior estimates, representing 10.1% of obligations​.

The FY25 Quarterly Overtime Report for Q1 reports a 18% increase in overtime spending from FY24, reaching $70.4 million, with persistent staffing shortages continuing to drive costs.