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Featured Publications
Government Operations, Efficiency, & Performance
Issue Brief
Tracking Progress & Building Trust: How Big Cities Share Capital Project Updates
June 26, 2025
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….
Debt and Pensions
Issue Paper
Speed of Spend: Philadelphia’s Recent Record for Spending Borrowed Funds for Special Initiatives
June 25, 2025
Philadelphia’s H.O.M.E. Initiative plans to invest $800 million over four years in housing, with $161 million expected to be spent in the first year. This pace is significantly faster than previous initiatives such as Rebuild and the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative. The report outlines how factors like program design, administrative capacity, and stakeholder engagement can shape…
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY25 Q3
May 21, 2025
The Q3 report projects higher revenues and slightly higher spending than earlier estimates, resulting in a General Fund balance of $882 million—13.6% of revenues and well above the City’s internal target. Notable adjustments include increased revenue from Wage and Business Taxes, reduced personnel and debt service costs, and increased spending on 2026 events and wellness…
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.
Board Materials
Minutes
October 14, 2014 Board Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2014
The PICA Board met on October 14, 2014, to approve a revised Five-Year Financial Plan, elect officers, and discuss revenue projections. The Board approved the plan with concerns over the City’s long-term financial stability and tax enforcement challenges.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY14 Q4
August 18, 2014
The fourth quarter FY14 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $3.82 billion, $88.1 million above the Five-Year Plan, while obligations increased by $21.9 million. The year-end fund balance is estimated at $184.7 million, reflecting stronger-than-expected revenue performance.
Board Materials
Minutes
July 21, 2014 Board Meeting Minutes
July 21, 2014
The PICA Board met on July 21, 2014, to approve the FY2015-2019 Five-Year Financial Plan and discuss tax enforcement strategies. The Board debated cost-cutting measures and concerns over the accuracy of City revenue projections.
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 FY15-19 Five-Year Plan
July 21, 2014
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY15-19 evaluates Philadelphia’s budgetary framework, focusing on revenue diversification, expenditure controls, and financial risk mitigation.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY14 Q3
May 18, 2014
The third quarter FY14 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $3.84 billion, $107.0 million above the Five-Year Plan, with obligations projected at $3.99 billion, $98.7 million higher than planned. The year-end fund balance is expected to be $119.8 million, reflecting an improved fiscal position.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY14 Q2
February 18, 2014
The second quarter FY14 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $3.82 billion, $92.9 million above the Five-Year Plan, while obligations are projected to increase by $102.9 million. The year-end fund balance is projected at $101.5 million, reflecting a modest increase in fiscal reserves.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY2013
December 30, 2013
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY13 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.
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 FY14-18 Five-Year Plan
September 17, 2013
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY14-18 outlines Philadelphia’s fiscal priorities and financial projections, focusing on expenditure control, revenue enhancements, and strategies to ensure long-term fiscal health.