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Featured Publications
Budget Structure and Process
Issue Brief
When is a Budget Cut Not a Budget Cut?
March 31, 2025
A proposed budget reduction isn’t always a true cut—sometimes it reflects the end of one-time costs, a shift in responsibility to another department, or reduced demand for services. For instance, FY26 budgets for Parks & Recreation and Homeless Services are lower than FY25, but not all changes imply service reductions. To discern real impacts, stakeholders…
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Fact Sheet
Proposed FY26-30 Five-Year Plan Fiscal Highlights
March 20, 2025
The City projects declining fund balances and annual operating deficits through FY29, before returning to surplus in FY30, with reserves falling below recommended thresholds in most years. Revenue is expected to grow by 9.6% over the Plan period, while spending will rise just 1.9%, driven largely by wage and benefit costs. The Plan includes $337…
Revenue Analysis & Outlook
Issue Brief
Precision in Projections: Evaluating Philadelphia’s Tax Revenue Forecasts and Volatility
February 3, 2025
Philadelphia’s largest tax streams—Wage and Earnings and Real Estate—are forecasted with high accuracy, typically within three percent of actual results. In contrast, smaller and more volatile revenue sources like the Realty Transfer and Amusement Taxes show far greater forecasting errors, reflecting their sensitivity to economic shifts and one-off events. By comparing 21 years of projections…
Board Materials
Resolution
Resolution 2016-02 Approval of FY16 Board Meeting Schedule
September 22, 2015
PICA approved the official meeting schedule for FY2016 and set the date for its FY2017 annual meeting, ensuring compliance with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. The resolution formalizes meeting dates and locations for the Authority’s fiscal year.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY15 Q4
August 18, 2015
The fourth quarter FY15 QCMR reports General Fund revenues at $3.77 billion, a $658.3 million decline from the original Five-Year Plan due largely to the unrealized Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) sale. Obligations are projected at $3.84 billion, reflecting a $683.7 million reduction, with a final year-end fund balance of $144.8 million.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
PICA Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia’s FY16-20 Five-Year Plan
July 30, 2015
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY16-20 outlines Philadelphia’s revenue and expenditure forecasts, addressing key financial risks and strategies for maintaining balanced budgets across fiscal years 2016-2020.
Board Materials
Minutes
July 16, 2015 Board Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2015
The PICA Board met on July 16, 2015, to approve the FY2016-2020 Five-Year Financial Plan, elect officers, and discuss pension fund investment challenges. The Board debated the City’s assumptions about long-term revenue growth and labor costs.
Board Materials
Resolution
Resolution 2016-03 Approval of 2016-2020 Five-Year Plan
July 16, 2015
PICA approved the City of Philadelphia’s FY2016-FY2020 Five-Year Financial Plan, confirming that it meets statutory requirements. The approval ensures that the City’s financial projections and budget planning align with legal and fiscal standards.
Board Materials
Resolution
Resolution 2016-01 Election of Board Officers
July 16, 2015
PICA elected its officers for a one-year term, appointing Ms. Biemiller as Chairperson, Mr. Karp as Vice Chairperson, Mr. McColgan as Secretary/Treasurer, and Mr. Rost as Assistant Secretary. This election, held at the Board’s annual meeting, aligns with PICA’s bylaws and statutory requirements.
Board Materials
Minutes
June 16, 2015 Board Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2015
The PICA Board met on June 16, 2015, to review budget expenditures, discuss real estate tax appeals, and assess pension fund risks. The Board debated strategies for improving City tax collections and resolving backlogged property tax assessments.
Board Materials
Minutes
May 19, 2015 Board Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2015
The PICA Board met on May 19, 2015, to approve the FY16 Operating Budget, review financial reports, and discuss the Five-Year Plan review process. The Board approved the budget and discussed City department funding needs, tax revenue trends, and costs related to the Pope’s visit.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY15 Q3
May 18, 2015
The third quarter FY15 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $3.79 billion, $636.0 million below the Five-Year Plan, while obligations have remained steady at $3.87 billion, $659.0 million lower than expected. The year-end fund balance is projected at $142.4 million, $74.0 million above prior estimates, despite persistent cost pressures from labor agreements and rising indemnities costs.
Board Materials
Minutes
April 21, 2015 Board Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2015
The PICA Board met on April 21, 2015, to review financial updates, discuss the Five-Year Plan review process, and receive reports on pension funding and litigation. The Board also discussed City tax revenue performance and ongoing budget hearings.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY15 Q2
February 18, 2015
The second quarter FY15 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $3.79 billion, $639.3 million below the Five-Year Plan, while obligations have decreased to $3.87 billion, $659.2 million lower than projected. The year-end fund balance is now projected at $146.1 million, $77.8 million above the Five-Year Plan projection, but impacted by the failure to sell Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW).
Board Materials
Minutes
January 20, 2015 Board Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2015
The PICA Board met on January 20, 2015, to reappoint Executive Director Harvey Rice, discuss tax revenue performance, and review the City’s pension system audit. The Board also received updates on PICA’s revenue recovery efforts and pending legislative changes.
Debt and Pensions
Issue Paper
Philadelphia’s Pension System: Reducing Risk and Achieving Fiscal Stability
January 1, 2015
Philadelphia’s Pension System: Reducing Risk and Achieving Fiscal Stability' assesses the City’s pension challenges, finding that costs as a percentage of payroll have risen from 17.3% in FY91 to 39.2% in FY15, placing significant pressure on the budget. The report recommends mandatory enrollment in a hybrid pension plan for new hires, increased employee contributions, and additional dedicated funding sources.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY2014
December 10, 2014
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY14 Annual Report provides an overview of the Authority's activities, financial oversight, and analysis of the City of Philadelphia’s fiscal condition over the past year. It includes key findings from PICA’s financial reviews, budget analyses, and policy recommendations aimed at ensuring the City's long-term financial stability as well as the Authority's financial statements and report from its auditors.
Board Materials
Minutes
November 18, 2014 Board Meeting Minutes
November 18, 2014
The PICA Board met on November 18, 2014, to review financial reports, discuss the City’s pension study, and approve PICA’s annual audit. The Board also examined investment strategies and litigation updates related to the LIBOR benchmark rate.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY15 Q1
November 18, 2014
The first quarter FY15 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $4.47 billion, $45.7 million above the Five-Year Plan, while obligations are projected at $4.56 billion, $36.4 million higher than expected. The year-end fund balance is projected at $135.5 million, $67.1 million higher than the Five-Year Plan estimate, representing 3.0% of obligations.