Cherelle Parker's first city budget up for final vote
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images.
Philadelphia legislators are primed to approve Mayor Cherelle Parker's nearly $6.4 billion budget Thursday.
Why it matters: Parker's first spending plan will keep property taxes flat, invest heavily in improving quality of life and deliver some big wins for the mayor — including $100 million for a "wellness village" to serve people in addiction.
State of play: City Council is expected to take a final vote and pass Parker's budget this morning.
- Parker's plan boosts city spending by about 2.8% from last fiscal year, or $172.5 million.
Zoom in: Philly lawmakers agreed to back Parker borrowing $100 million to begin building a new drug treatment facility and shelter in Holmesburg over three years.
- The facility will house more than 600 people and provide counseling, drug treatment and job training.
- The project is part of her goal to address the city's worsening opioid crisis and end open-air drug markets, particularly in Kensington.
Meanwhile, the budget cuts $1 million in funding to Kensington nonprofit Prevention Point, a harm-reduction service provider, per the Inquirer.
Other investments aim at cleaning up Philly streets, like Parker's new citywide block cleanup program. Plus:
- A new pilot for twice-weekly trash collection in some areas.
- Installing 1,500 new BigBelly trash cans.
What else: $24 million in new funding for schools.
- $14 million to replace lost affordable housing at a former complex in West Philly.
- $19 million for rental assistance.
What they're saying: "Residents will be able to see, touch, and feel the positive impacts of this budget in their neighborhoods, along their commercial corridors, and throughout Philadelphia," Parker said in a previously released statement.
The intrigue: Despite no property tax hike in the budget, many homeowners will have higher bills and residential property values are expected to tick up 8% on average.
- That's because the city will issue new property assessments this year for the first time since 2022.
- The city continues to finalize this year's revaluation figures, with details out later this month, Parker spokesperson Joe Grace tells Axios.
Yes, but: Some homeowners qualify for property tax breaks.
- Legislators are slated to increase the city's Homestead Exemption to $100,000, up from $80,000.
- Low-income homeowners can freeze their property taxes. Annual income must not exceed $33,500 annually for individuals and $41,500 for couples.
What's next: The new fiscal year begins July 1.
- After Thursday's City Council session, legislators are on break until September.