Summary
The estimated year end fund balance for FY2019 is projected to total $248.4 million, according to PICA’s Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia’s Quarterly City Managers Report (“QCMR”) for the first quarter (period ending September 30, 2018), $108.9 million higher than projected in the City’s Five Year Plan (“the Plan”). General Fund revenues are projected at $4,654.2 million, and obligations are projected at $4,794.1 million, increases from the Plan of $37.3 million and $68.6 million, respectively. It appears that, once again, expenditures will outpace revenues in FY2019. PICA’s Staff Report also identifies key management issues and tracks departmental performance for several City departments: • Overtime: Actual overtime costs in the first quarter of FY2019 totaled $47.6 million, a total similar to last year’s first quarter overtime costs. Overtime spending has traditionally spiked in the first quarter, which includes the summer months when special events take place and crime rates increase. • Police: Part 1 violent crimes decreased by 168, or 4.2 percent in the first quarter of FY2019, as compared to same period last year, while homicides have increased by 25 (33 percent). The homicide clearance rate (homicide cases in which an arrest is made) decreased to 39 percent, falling below 40 percent for the first time since FY2017. • Licenses and Inspections: L&I issued slightly more permits in the first quarter of FY2019, as compared to the previous year. Unfortunately, the department performed fewer demolitions due to resources being directed to single costly, large-scale demolition. The rate of nuisance properties inspected within twenty days also decreased—despite a new service level agreement expanding the inspection period from seven to twenty days. • Human Services: Child Protective Services investigations were determined within 60 days at a rate of 99.6 percent through the fourth quarter of FY2018 (data lags by one quarter), above the City’s FY2018 target rate of 98 percent. The dependent placement population decreased by nearly 200 dependents as of the first quarter, compared to the same point last year.