Mayor Cherelle Parker’s first budget bonanza is now over.
Parker and City Council reached an initial agreement on a $6.37 billion budget early Thursday morning, approving substantial investments in quality-of-life and public safety initiatives – two of Parker’s campaign priorities.
As a first-term mayor, Parker’s approach to the budget process was more focused than ambitious, with no tax increases and a commitment to the issues that helped her get into office. Parker said many of her priorities aligned with those of the councilmembers and Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who also presided over budget negotiations for the first time in leadership.
Johnson said given the overlapping priorities, “it’s just sitting down and making sure that my members’ priorities had an opportunity to be a part of this budget process.”
Parker thanked council in a statement and promised that “residents will be able to see, touch, and feel the positive impacts of this budget in their neighborhoods.”
Upon final approval, the budget will take effect July 1. Here are some key figures:
- 3.75% earnings tax rate for Philadelphia residents, part of the flat tax rate deal for both wage and business taxes
- 56% millage share for the School District of Philadelphia, up from 55%
- $250 million for a citywide street paving strategy
- $100 million in capital funding to construct a drug treatment facility in Northeast Philadelphia
- $100 million over five years for the Philadelphia Taking Care of Business commercial corridor cleaning program
- $40 million increase in the capital budget, including additional spending on recreation centers and libraries
- $36 million for “clean and green” initiatives, including combating illegal dumping
- $28 million in anti-violence grants
- $19 million for rental assistance
- $14 million for rebuilding affordable University City Townhomes
- $10 million to support workforce development and employer partnerships
- $5 million for the Philadelphia Energy Authority’s Built to Last program
- $750,000 for tangled title support at the Register of Wills
- $20,000 increase to the Homestead Exemption for owner-occupied homes
