Publications

PICA reappointed Marisa G. Waxman as Executive Director for a new term, effective January 29, 2025. The appointment remains in effect until a successor is appointed, or her employment is otherwise terminated or resigned.

The Board discussed the City’s unaudited FY24 financial results, which showed a $314 million increase in fund balance due to staffing vacancies and higher interest earnings, along with updated Q1 projections for FY25. PICA staff reported on recent and upcoming publications, professional development efforts, and progress on contracts for grants administration analysis and website redesign….

The Class 100 Fact Sheet outlines how the City of Philadelphia categorizes and tracks expenditures related to personal services, including wages, salaries, overtime, and benefits for all municipal employees. As the largest budget classification, Class 100 accounted for $3.7 billion, or 60.7% of General Fund spending in FY24, down from 68% in FY14, largely due…

Spending on contracted services grew 73% between FY14 and FY24, outpacing overall General Fund growth. Most of the increase came from professional service contracts in departments like Human Services, Public Property, and the Managing Director’s Office, reflecting policy priorities like PHLpreK, SEPTA subsidies, and public safety grants. These contracts offer flexibility to deliver services that…

Although a small share of the budget, Class 300/400 spending more than doubled between FY14 and FY24, largely driven by vehicle purchases. The Streets and Fleet Services departments accounted for over 60% of this growth, with additional increases in equipment, uniforms, and digital library materials. Spending patterns reflect post-COVID service expansion and rising costs for…

Class 500 covers a range of City payments, including funding for schools and nonprofits, indemnities for lawsuits and accidents, and certain tax obligations. Since FY14, these expenses have more than doubled, largely due to increased contributions to the School District of Philadelphia and the Community College of Philadelphia. While indemnity costs also rose sharply—especially for…

This spending category covers the City’s repayment of general obligation debt, including interest, principal, and related costs. From FY14 to FY24, debt service remained stable as a share of the General Fund, averaging 3.3% annually. Most spending supports long-term debt tied to capital investments, with limited use of short-term borrowing due to improved fund balances…

Class 800 tracks transfers from the General Fund to other City funds, such as the Water Fund, Housing Trust Fund, and Budget Stabilization Reserve (BSR), as well as operating dollars allocated to capital projects. Spending in this category is highly variable and has grown significantly since FY14 due to new City Charter mandates and expanded…

This reserve category sets aside funds to address potential but undefined fiscal risks, such as labor contract costs or federal funding reductions. From FY14 to FY24, Class 900 appropriations averaged $56.6 million annually, with funds transferred to departments when needed. While the balance of these reserves varies based on fiscal conditions, they provide critical flexibility…

The agenda for the February 25, 2025, board meeting includes a briefing on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, financial updates from the City of Philadelphia, and votes on three resolutions concerning revenue analysis services, PICA’s FY26 operating budget, and general counsel approval. The meeting will also include reports from the Executive Director and Treasurer, as well as a discussion on row offices​.

The FY25 Quarterly Overtime Report for Q1 reports a 18% increase in overtime spending from FY24, reaching $70.4 million, with persistent staffing shortages continuing to drive costs.

The first-quarter FY25 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $6.26 billion, $16.0 million lower than the Five-Year Plan, while obligations are projected at $6.59 billion, $225.0 million higher than expected. The year-end fund balance is now projected at $642.5 million, $74.0 million higher than the Five-Year Plan estimate, representing 10.3% of revenues​.

The agenda outlines the regular board meeting for November 19, 2024, including reports from the City of Philadelphia, the Executive Director, and the Treasurer. The meeting will also include public comment and discussion of new business.

The Board approved resolutions for a website redesign by Karma Dharma, a grants administration analysis contract with Guidehouse, and a compensation adjustment for the Executive Director, following an executive session. Updates from the City covered labor negotiations, upcoming financial reports, and changes in leadership, while PICA staff shared updates on recent publications, the FY24 audit,…

PICA’s Tariffs and the Philadelphia Budget issue brief examines the potential impact of proposed federal tariffs on the City's economy, revenue streams, and expenditures, with recommendations for mitigation strategies.

PICA’s Fact Sheet on the City of Philadelphia's FY24 Annual Financial Report (AFR) provides a detailed, unaudited assessment of the City of Philadelphia’s actual revenue, expenditures, and fund balances for the fiscal year. The report reveals a significantly higher General Fund balance of $943 million—well above prior estimates—due to higher-than-expected revenues and lower-than-expected spending, particularly on salaries and benefits.