Overtime spending from Philadelphia’s General Fund grew 75.6 percent from FY18 to FY25, with total spending reaching $315 million in FY25. This growth was largely driven by persistently high vacancy rates, pandemic-related staffing challenges, and expanded services in departments such as Fire and Sanitation. As staffing levels recover, the report highlights the need for careful…

Capital projects are major, long-term investments, and large cities are increasingly turning to dashboards and interactive tools to keep residents informed about their progress. This publication compares Philadelphia’s new efforts to share capital spending data with more advanced transparency platforms in New York City, Charlotte, and Boston, highlighting best practices for project tracking and communication….

The Crime of Inefficiency: The Cost of Policing in Philadelphia examines inefficiencies in the Philadelphia Police Department, highlighting excessive staffing levels, high overtime expenditures, and ineffective management practices.

The Court Unification and State-Wide Funding: Future Five-Year Financial Plan Implications for the City of Philadelphia report analyzes the financial impact of shifting local court funding to the state.

Good Policy Demands Better Measurement: Philadelphia’s Economic Development Program white paper critiques the City’s Economic Stimulus Program, highlighting the absence of clear performance metrics and strategic oversight.

The City of Philadelphia Performance report assesses the City’s ability to track and disclose performance metrics, finding gaps in strategic planning, goal-setting, and accountability.

The COVID-19 Impact on City of Philadelphia Employee Separation report examines how the pandemic accelerated workforce exits, with separations rising from 6.4% pre-pandemic to 11.0% in 2021.

The FY07 ‘City Budget Behind Bars: Increasing Prison Population Drives Rapidly Escalating Costs’ Issue Report explores the financial strain of Philadelphia’s rising incarceration rates, with prison costs outpacing other public safety investments.

A History We Can No Longer Afford: Consolidating Philadelphia’s Row Offices Issue Report examines the financial inefficiencies of maintaining four independently elected row offices and estimates potential savings of $13-15 million annually.

The Assessment of City Facilities: Summary of Report Findings and Analysis highlights Philadelphia’s substantial underinvestment in public infrastructure, identifying a $850 million shortfall and urgent capital improvement needs.

The Efficiency and Effectiveness Study of the Philadelphia Fire Department evaluates the department’s operations, identifying areas for improved resource allocation, response times, and service delivery.

The FY25 Police Court Overtime Progress report highlights the City’s successful efforts in reducing excessive overtime costs related to police testimony, achieving an $8 million reduction since FY18.