Philadelphia's full-time city workforce has grown by roughly 5% under Mayor Parker, even as thousands of jobs remain vacant.

Why it matters: Persistent vacancies can delay city services and drive up overtime spending.

Driving the news: Parker has added more than 1,200 full-time positions since taking office in 2024, according to the city's five-year plans.

• The city's budget now funds about 26,460 full-time general fund positions for the fiscal year that began in July.

Threat level: Adding new positions has made it more difficult to shrink the vacancy rate.

• More than 3,700 full-time jobs remain vacant, leaving the city with a vacancy rate of about 14%.
• Police, prisons and fire have some of the highest levels of vacancies.

Yes, but: Parker has reduced the city's vacancy rate from 18% when she took office.

Plus: The city now employs more than 22,700 full-timers — back to pre-pandemic levels.

Worth noting: This analysis covers the city's general fund workforce. It excludes self-funded departments such as water and aviation, which are supported by separate revenue sources.

Between the lines: Continued vacancies contribute to higher overtime costs.

• Overtime spending is forecast to reach $344 million for the fiscal year that ended July 1 — up $29 million from the previous year.
• Vacancies aren't the only driver. Pay increases, special events and snow removal have also pushed up city overtime spending, per a recent city report.

What else: Parker has also expanded the offices that report directly to her.

• Staffing in the mayor's office has nearly doubled to 95 positions.

What they're saying: Parker spokesperson Joe Grace tells Axios that the mayor has driven down vacancies and filled critical jobs.

• Grace added that increases in the number of positions reflect expanded services, including the new Office of Clean and Green Initiatives and Office of Public Safety, as well as the mayor's commitment to new programs and initiatives.

The other side: Lauren Cristella, president of government watchdog the Committee of Seventy, tells Axios the city needs to provide more accountability about whether Philadelphians are getting the services they're paying for.

• She added that a high vacancy rate "means real gaps in frontline delivery, and it's worth understanding exactly where those gaps are landing and what they cost taxpayers in overtime, backlogs, and delayed services."

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Mayor Parker described in a City Cast interview last week how her administration had invited ESM Productions to produce Philadelphia's July 4 concert.

Why it matters: Parker's account raises questions about when the administration first approached the firm about producing the city's $15.5 million Fourth of July concert — a timeline the administration declined to clarify when asked by Axios.

Catch up quick: Axios reported this week that the city didn't seek new bids for the concert celebrating America's 250th birthday before hiring ESM.

• Instead, it relied on an existing deal between the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID) and ESM, which was also used to produce the city's first-ever free New Year's Eve celebration last year.

Driving the news: Parker recounted on City Cast deciding she wanted to bring back ESM Productions, which helped put on the city's former July Jam concerts between 2009 and 2015.

• "We say, 'We hope you all would consider coming back and applying for the opportunity to present this concert for America's 250,'" she said during the podcast.

Between the lines: Parker's comments offer another layer to the story of how ESM returned to City Hall's orbit after she says former Mayor Kenney cut ties with the company when in office.

• But they also leave unanswered how the Parker administration's discussions with ESM fit into the procurement process the city has cited to justify hiring the company.
• The Parker admin declined to answer questions about when it first approached ESM about producing the concert.

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🗣️ Police commissioner Kevin Bethel said during a City Council hearing yesterday that the department will change how it plans and prepares for future Pride events.

• Lawmakers grilled Bethel over what some called aggressive tactics at Philly's big June Pride celebration. (Philly Tribune)

⚖️ Try, try again: The Parker administration has asked a federal appeals court to reconsider a recent decision allowing the Trump administration to take control of informational panels at the President's House site. (WHYY)

🧮 52 district schools still don't have adequate air conditioning for students to remain comfortable on hot days. (Chalkbeat)

• District students return to the classroom on Aug. 24.

🔎 More property owners could be illegally getting tax breaks. A City Controller's report issued yesterday found at least 36,000 properties saved a combined $30 million annually through the homestead exemption but may be ineligible for the program.

• This comes after the Parker administration booted more than 13,300 homeowners off the assistance program due to ineligibility.

🍕 Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy dropped by a handful of pizzerias in the Philly region this week to film footage for his "One Bite Pizza Reviews."

• On his menu: slices from Kensington's Liguria Pizzeria and Johnny's Pizza in Wayne. (Inquirer)

⚾ Phillies former star Chase Utley gets inducted into the team's Wall of Fame around 6:15pm before Friday's game against the Blue Jays at the Bank. Tickets: ~$69+

🥳 It's First Friday! Look for special events and exhibits at galleries, showrooms and shops across the city.

• That includes live music, artisan market, art workshops and open studios at Cherry Street Pier beginning at 4pm.

💪 WWE Smackdown takes over the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday at 7:30pm. Tickets: $49+

💥 It's comic time! The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks hosts Liberty Comic Con this Friday-Sunday. The three-day event includes video-game tourneys, cosplay contest, panel discussions and celebrities.

• Tickets: $10-$140

🥟 Chow down at Port Richmond's Pierogi Fest on Saturday from noon-5pm at Campbell Square Park. Tons of vendors, beer garden and attendees can vote for the best pierogi vendor. A shuttle is also available.

🎤 Eakins Oval hosts Hip Hop in the Park Festival Saturday from noon-9pm. Headliners include Rich Medina, Cosmo Baker and DJ JS1. The event also features graffiti activities, writing, breakdancing and giveaways.

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