Publications

The City of Philadelphia has made significant progress toward fully funding its pension obligations, with reforms and steady contributions raising its funded ratio from 45 percent in FY16 to a projected 90 percent by FY30. The report explains how continuing on this path enhances credit ratings, lowers long-term costs, and strengthens the City’s fiscal stability,…

PICA’s Staff Report recommends PICA Board approval of the City of Philadelphia’s FY26–30 Five-Year Plan because it meets the requirements of the PICA Act, projecting positive year-end fund balances despite planned operating deficits from FY26 to FY29. The report highlights reasonable economic and revenue assumptions, the City’s continued investments in reserves, and the substantial $379…

Approval affirms continued confidence in the City’s fiscal condition amid notable long-term and emerging risks. The Board of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) voted to approve the City of Philadelphia FY26-30 Five-Year Financial Plan at its annual meeting, affirming that the Plan meets the statutory requirements set forth in the PICA Act. The approval…

The Board discussed the City’s newly adopted FY26 budget and upcoming submission of the FY26–30 Five-Year Plan to PICA, including updates on grants, affordable housing tax exemptions, and pending labor agreements. PICA staff shared recent publications, outlined areas of upcoming research, and reported on organizational activities such as community engagement, conference participation, and budget performance….

The PICA Board unanimously approved the City of Philadelphia’s FY26–30 Five-Year Financial Plan after determining it met all requirements under the PICA Act and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement. The resolution affirms that the Plan includes reasonable assumptions and maintains statutory fiscal standards. The vote passed with the required qualified majority.

The PICA Board approved the first one-year renewal of its contract with Maher Duessel LLP to provide financial auditing services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. This renewal covers services from January 1 to December 31, 2026, and includes an option for further annual renewals at the Authority’s discretion. The resolution authorizes necessary…

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…