Mayor Michael Nutter delivered his proposed budget this to City Council this afternoon. Characterized by a penchant for public-private partnerships and a reluctance to raise taxes, the budget provides for spending on public safety, business retention and neighborhood improvement efforts and revenue from capitalizing on municipal assets and operating a leaner, more efficient government.
Two issues immediately raised controversy. The first was the proposed actual value initiative, which the administration refuses to call a property tax increase but will base homeowners’ next property tax bills on “fair, accurate values,” leading to higher fees for some and generating an estimated $90 million for the school district.
“How it’s characterized by whomever to some people is not relevant,” Council President Darrell Clarke said. “I expect that the people who will have to pay cash from their pocket to City Hall will consider it a tax.”
“It seems like it’s never enough,” he said of giving the money to the school district. “If I’m going to support additional funds, the school district needs to submit some kind of a plan for improvement,” he said, noting that disruptive classroom atmospheres and enduring budget deficits needed to be addressed. “It doesn’t matter how much money you give the school district if people are not learning.”
Clarke did say that he was pleased with some aspects of the budget. “It’s encouraging, in a sense – it appears that there are some signs of stabilization with the fiscal situation,” he said, noting the lack of deep cuts. “But some of the revenue situations will be challenging for some of our members to be supportive of.”
Nutter’sproposed $20 million renovation of LOVE Park to serve as a green connector between the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Dilworth Plaza also received criticism.
“LOVE Park is not particularly unattractive today,” Councilman Bill Green said. “I think people would rather see that capital spending on neighborhood commercial corridors. … What you’re saying when you choose LOVE Park over other commercial corridors is that’s your priority.”
Here’s a look at some of the other budget points:
Major financial challenges
Nutter identified three major financial challenges for the city:
Spending
Nutter said his proposed budget puts public safety “first and foremost” by:
Nutter cited the attraction and retention of businesses as a second goal, pledging to:
Nutter identified community and quality of life investments as third important spending area, allocating:
Revenue sources
Nutter said that it was important to look at raising money without raising taxes. These efforts include:
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