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Featured Publications
Debt and Pensions
Fact Sheet
Debt and Taxes: Tax-Exempt vs. Taxable Bonds
April 13, 2026
Cities can lower borrowing costs by issuing tax-exempt bonds, but these come with restrictions that limit how funds can be used, particularly for projects that aren’t publicly owned. Taxable bonds offer greater flexibility for investments like affordable housing and neighborhood development, though they typically carry higher interest costs. Choosing between these financing tools requires balancing…
Debt and Pensions
Fact Sheet
Digging Into (and Out of) Debt
April 6, 2026
Philadelphia’s General Fund-supported debt declined by about nine percent over the past decade, even as the City continued to borrow for major investments in infrastructure, housing, and public facilities. This progress reflects consistent repayment of older obligations, including pension-related borrowing and legacy debts from prior fiscal challenges. Looking ahead, with annual debt service expected to…
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Fact Sheet
Proposed FY27-31 Five-Year Plan Fiscal Highlights
March 17, 2026
Philadelphia’s proposed FY27–31 Five-Year Plan maintains positive fund balances in each year, but projects operating deficits in four of five years and a steady decline in reserves over time. Revenues are expected to grow by 10.3 percent over the Plan period, driven primarily by local taxes, while spending growth is more modest but still exceeds…
Budget Structure and Process
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Housing Trust Fund
November 1, 2024
PICA’s Housing Trust Fund Fact Sheet details the City's dedicated funding for affordable housing programs, highlighting a 157% increase in the fund's budget since FY14 and major investments in housing stability, repairs, and development.
Budget Structure and Process
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Grants Revenue Fund
November 1, 2024
PICA’s Grants Revenue Fund Fact Sheet reviews the City's reliance on federal, state, and private grant funding, which accounted for $1.5 billion in revenue in FY23, with the largest share supporting human services and public health programs.
Board Materials
Agenda
Agenda for October 22, 2024 PICA Board Meeting
October 22, 2024
The agenda for the October 22, 2024, meeting includes standard reports and the consideration of three resolutions related to website design, grants administration, and executive director compensation. The Board will also review minutes from the previous meeting and discuss new business.
Board Materials
Resolution
Resolution 2025-06 Approving Executive Director Compensation
October 22, 2024
PICA approved a 4.25% salary increase for Executive Director Marisa Waxman, raising her base salary effective November 1, 2024. The resolution also adjusts her vacation leave accrual rate to 9.3% of regular hours worked, capped at 24.3 days per year.
Board Materials
Resolution
Resolution 2025-05 Approval of Grants Administration Analysis and Best Practices Services
October 22, 2024
PICA engaged Guidehouse to provide grants administration analysis and best practices recommendations for the City of Philadelphia, with services running from October 23, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The contract, based on a competitive RFP process, is valued at up to $175,000.
Board Materials
Resolution
Resolution 2025-04 Approval of Website Design Services
October 22, 2024
PICA selected Karma Dharma to provide website design services, following a competitive RFP process in which 14 proposals were evaluated. The contract, valued at up to $30,000, includes the redesign of PICA’s website and four one-year renewal options at PICA’s discretion.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY2024
October 4, 2024
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY24 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 Financial Reports
Annual OT Report
FY24 Annual Overtime Report
October 1, 2024
PICA’s FY24 Annual Overtime Report analyzes the City of Philadelphia’s $262.2 million in overtime spending, which accounted for 12.0% of Class 100 obligations. The report examines key cost drivers, departmental underspending, and the continued impact of staffing vacancies.
Budget Structure and Process
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Capital Budget
October 1, 2024
PICA’s Capital Budget Fact Sheet outlines the City's planned infrastructure investments, highlighting $8.3 billion in commitments over six years for non-enterprise funds and major allocations for transit and streets projects.
Budget Structure and Process
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Transportation Fund
October 1, 2024
PICA’s Transportation Fund Fact Sheet examines the newly created fund, which centralizes revenue sources for street paving and transportation investments, reducing reliance on the General Fund.
Spending Analysis & Outlook
Issue Brief
Mind the Gap: Measuring the Accuracy of Spending Projections
September 1, 2024
PICA’s Measuring the Accuracy of Spending Projections issue brief assesses Philadelphia’s ability to project expenditures, finding it is the second-most accurate among 15 peer cities, with a mean error of ±2.0%.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Financial Reports
PICA Staff Report on QCMR
QCMR Report FY24 Q4
August 18, 2024
The fourth quarter FY24 QCMR projects General Fund revenues at $5.95 billion, $66.5 million below the Five-Year Plan, while obligations have increased to $6.34 billion, $140.1 million higher than projected. The final year-end fund balance is estimated at $628.0 million, $99.0 million above the Five-Year Plan, representing 10.6% of revenues.
Government Operations, Efficiency, & Performance
Issue Brief
PICA Celebrates Police Court Overtime Progress
August 1, 2024
The FY25 Police Court Overtime Progress report highlights the City’s successful efforts in reducing excessive overtime costs related to police testimony, achieving an $8 million reduction since FY18.
Board Materials
Minutes
July 25, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes
July 25, 2024
The PICA Board met on July 25, 2024, to approve the FY2025-2029 Five-Year Financial Plan, elect Board Officers, and approve the FY25 Board Meeting Calendar. The Board discussed financial risks, including staffing shortages, pension obligations, and declining fund balances.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Fact Sheet
Resumen Ejecutivo del Plan Quinquenal de la Ciudad de Filadelfia AF25-29
July 25, 2024
El informe del personal de PICA recomienda la aprobación del Plan Quinquenal de los Años Fiscales 2025-2029 de la Ciudad de Filadelfia, ya que cumple con los criterios de la Ley de PICA. Destaca saldos de fondos positivos, una calificación crediticia mejorada, contribuciones al Fondo de Estabilización Presupuestaria y el progreso hacia la plena financiación del sistema de pensionesResumen-Ejecutivo-PICA-….
Board Materials
Agenda
Agenda for July 25, 2024 Annual PICA Board Meeting
July 25, 2024
The July 25, 2024, meeting agenda includes reports, public comment, and votes on resolutions approving the Five-Year Plan, Board Officer elections, and the FY25 Board Meeting Schedule. The Board will also review updates from the City of Philadelphia.
