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Featured Publications
PICA Conferences and Events
Blog
Recapping PICA’s 2025 Fall Forum: Turning Cooperation into Growth
October 29, 2025
PICA’s 2025 Fall Forum brought together regional leaders to explore how intergovernmental and cross-sector collaboration can drive inclusive economic growth and long-term fiscal stability. Featuring insights from Brookings Metro and economic development experts from Detroit, Atlanta, Columbus, and New York, the event highlighted the importance of coordinated planning, private-sector leadership, and alignment across education, workforce,…
Spending Analysis & Outlook
White Paper
Catalyzing Growth: Tracking Philadelphia’s General Fund Investments in Economic Development
October 23, 2025
Philadelphia has more than doubled its General Fund spending on economic development over the past decade, but lacks a system-wide strategy to evaluate the return on those investments. This publication analyzes how the City reports economic development spending, compares Philadelphia to peer cities, and recommends clearer goals, outcome-based measures, and regular reporting to guide future…
Reserves and Fiscal Stability
Issue Paper
Ranking Reserves: Benchmarking Philadelphia’s Financial Cushion
October 15, 2025
Philadelphia’s reserves improved significantly between FY20 and FY24, reaching 18 percent of General Fund revenues, the highest level in City history, but still below the median among ten peer cities. Despite this progress, projections in the FY26 to FY30 Five-Year Plan show reserves steadily declining, which may limit the City’s ability to respond to future…
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY2004
October 1, 2004
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY04 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 FY05-09 Five-Year Plan
July 7, 2004
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY05-09 assesses Philadelphia’s budgetary trajectory, highlighting potential risks and proposing strategies for maintaining fiscal balance.
Government Operations, Efficiency, & Performance
White Paper
The Crime of Inefficiency: The Cost of Policing in Philadelphia
March 9, 2004
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.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY2003
October 1, 2003
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY03 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 FY04-08 Five-Year Plan
June 26, 2003
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY04-08 examines Philadelphia’s financial outlook, assessing projected revenues, major expenditure categories, and policy initiatives to ensure fiscal sustainability.
PICA Capital Financing
Bond Documents
2003 Bond Issuance Documents
June 1, 2003
The document outlines the Amended and Restated Indenture of Trust between PICA and Meridian Bank as Trustee, governing the issuance and repayment of bonds. It details the security structure, payment mechanisms, and legal covenants ensuring compliance with tax and financial regulations.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY2002
October 15, 2002
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY02 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 FY03-07 Five-Year Plan
June 18, 2002
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY03-07 evaluates Philadelphia’s fiscal strategies, with an emphasis on revenue diversification, service efficiency improvements, and capital investment planning.
PICA Capital Financing
Bond Documents
1999 Bond Issuance Documents
May 1, 2002
The document outlines financial agreements related to PICA's 1999 bond issuance, including an interest rate swap transaction with JPMorgan Chase. It details payment schedules, notional amounts, and swap rate structures, along with provisions for termination and settlement.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY2001
October 16, 2001
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY01 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 FY02-06 Five-Year Plan
May 15, 2001
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY02-06 outlines Philadelphia’s financial forecast, addressing concerns related to workforce reductions, tax policy changes, and debt restructuring.
Reserves and Fiscal Stability
White Paper
Philadelphia’s Fiscal Challenge: Finding a Way to Save
November 16, 2000
The Philadelphia’s Fiscal Challenge: Finding a Way to Save report advocates for the establishment of a rainy day fund to prepare for economic downturns and fiscal uncertainties. It examines financial practices in other cities and argues for proactive measures to strengthen the City's financial resilience.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY2000
October 16, 2000
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY00 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 FY01-05 Five-Year Plan
May 16, 2000
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY01-05 outlines Philadelphia’s fiscal policies, revenue forecasts, and expenditure plans, addressing structural budgetary challenges.
Government Operations, Efficiency, & Performance
White Paper
Good Policy Demands Better Measurement: Philadelphia’s Economic Development Program
March 27, 2000
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.
Revenue Analysis & Outlook
White Paper
Philadelphia Must Reduce Its Need for Tax Revenues
January 31, 2000
The Philadelphia Must Reduce Its Need for Tax Revenues report examines the City's continued reliance on tax-supported spending despite economic growth and budget surpluses. It argues that Philadelphia must reduce expenditures funded by tax revenues to sustain long-term financial stability and create capacity for future tax reductions.
