Publications

The PICA Board approved the first one-year renewal of its contract with J. Miller & Associates, LLC to provide accounting services for the period from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The renewal is based on a prior agreement that allows for up to four one-year extensions at the Authority’s discretion. The resolution authorizes…

The PICA Board elected officers for a one-year term at its annual meeting, as required by the PICA Act and the Authority’s bylaws. Kevin Vaughan was elected Chairperson, Alan Kessler as Vice Chairperson, Michael Karp as Secretary/Treasurer, and Rosalind Sutch as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. The resolution took effect immediately upon its approval.

The PICA Board approved its schedule of regular meetings for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Annual Meeting for Fiscal Year 2027, as required under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. Meetings will be held monthly at 12:15 p.m. in PICA’s conference room at 1500 Walnut Street, with details also available on the Authority’s website. The resolution ensures…

The Board will meet to review updates from the City and staff, including reports from the Executive Director and Treasurer, followed by an opportunity for public comment. Members will consider and vote on five resolutions, including approval of the FY26–30 Five-Year Plan, renewals of audit and accounting services, election of Board officers, and the FY26…

Following City Council approval of the FY26 budget and the Mayor signing the budget bills into law, the Parker Administration has updated the Five-Year Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030 (FY26-30) to reflect amendments to the FY26 budget and updated expectations for expenditures and collections over the life of the Plan. The FY26-30…

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….

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…

The Board received updates on the City’s budget process, economic risks related to federal policy, and ongoing Five-Year Plan analysis, including assumptions around vacancies and fund balances. Guidehouse presented recommendations for centralizing grants administration, projecting potential annual returns of $26 million, though Board members expressed concern about feasibility given federal uncertainty. The meeting also covered…

The PICA Board unanimously adopted a resolution honoring Deidre Morgenstern for 30 years of exemplary service to the Authority. She has played a vital role in financial operations, including overseeing PICA Tax transfers and supporting audits, while serving under six executive directors and across five mayoral administrations. The resolution highlights her lasting contributions to Philadelphia’s…

At this meeting, the Board will receive updates from the City, reports from the Executive Director and Treasurer, and open the floor for public comment. Members will vote on three resolutions concerning the renewal of audit and accounting services, and a recognition of Deidre Morgenstern for 30 years of service to PICA. The Board will…

Overtime spending reached $229.6 million through Q3—22% higher than the same period last year—driven by persistent public safety vacancies, emergency events, and celebrations tied to the Eagles’ Super Bowl win. Citywide overtime is now projected to exceed the FY25 adopted budget by $22.9 million, with Fire, Police, and Prisons accounting for the largest increases. Departments…

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…

With legislation related to proposed H.O.M.E. Initiative borrowing set for introduction this week, it’s a good time for a refresher on how bond authorization works in the City of Philadelphia. When the City plans major long-term investments, it must obtain City Council authorization to borrow funds—though authorization does not automatically mean borrowing occurs immediately. Borrowing…

The Board reviewed the City’s proposed FY26–30 Five-Year Plan and FY26–31 Capital Program, highlighting public safety investments, labor reserve increases, and planned tax reforms. Members also discussed and approved Resolution 2025-11, which recommends eliminating the independently elected offices of the Sheriff and Register of Wills, citing fiscal and operational concerns. Several members of the public…

In addition to regular reports and City updates, the Board will hear a presentation on grants administration benchmarking and recommendations. Members will review the minutes from the March meeting and open the floor for public comment. The agenda will also include time for new business before adjourning.

The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) was established in 1991 in response to Philadelphia’s financial crisis, providing oversight and access to capital markets to restore fiscal stability. The Authority continues to review the City’s annual Five-Year Financial Plans and enforce compliance through quarterly reporting and the power to withhold state funds if necessary. Amendments in…