City Council Approves FY25 Budget

In the early hours of Thursday, June 6, Philadelphia City Council advanced Mayor Cherelle Parker’s proposed $6.37 billion FY25 Budget. The budget prioritizes public safety and quality-of-life improvement without raising taxes. The budget also includes property tax relief for low-income homeowners and increases the homestead exemption for owner-occupied properties from $80,000 to $100,000. A brief summary is included below. 

Public Safety

• $877 million Philadelphia Police Department budget for:
  • Upgrades to equipment and technology, including $45 million for a state-of-the-art forensics lab.
  • $24 million for anti-violence community-based organizations.
  • Staffing and recruitment efforts.
  • Increased community policing efforts.

• $100 million for a triage facility in Northeast Philadelphia, which will offer long-term care, treatment, and housing for those suffering from addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges.
• $3.2 million to support youth sports as a means of violence reduction.
• $3 million investment in the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.

Cleaning & Greening

• $250 million for street paving.
• $100 million over five years to expand the “Philadelphia Taking Care of Business” commercial corridor cleaning program.
• $36 million for “clean and green” initiatives, including anti-dumping efforts.
• $8.5 million for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Economic Opportunity

• $117 million in operating funds for SEPTA to address its fiscal challenges.
• $14 million allocated to the “PHL Open for Business” initiative to streamline regulations, facilitate business growth, and provide navigator services for entrepreneurs.
• $10 million to support workforce development and apprenticeship programs, focusing on industries such as labor, logistics, life sciences, and biotech.
• $1 million to the Accelerator Fund to provide access to capital for developers from historically disadvantaged groups.
• $1 million to the Innovate Capital Growth Fund to offer diverse entrepreneurs access to equity investments.

Housing

• $19 million for rental assistance.
• $5 million for a home repair subsidy.

Education

• $129 million allocated for the School District of Philadelphia.
• $56 million for the Community College of Philadelphia, including funding to establish a City College for Municipal Employment.
• $24 million+ in new operating investments for education.

Arts & Culture

• $4 million for the Philadelphia Zoo.

The budget bills received first reading during the regular scheduled meeting of City Council today, which sets them on track to receive second reading and final passage next week prior to summer recess. Once approved finally, the budget will head to Mayor Parker for signature.