Philadelphia Mayor Michel Nutter, (D) laid out a $3.6 billion dollar budget that he says includes some budget cuts, new investments, but no new taxes.
Nutter was loudly and repeatedly booed by union members in the City Hall audience who chanted “keep your word,” referring to public workers' contracts. Among the city’s major challenges for growth, the mayor cited higher benefit costs for city workers.
“I want a contract with our public employees,” said Nutter “But I cannot sign a contract that does not deal with the long-term employee benefit challenges that threaten this city’s future.”
Philadelphia property owners may see major changes in their property tax bills as the city implements a new system that officials say will bring in an additional $90 million. City Finance Director Rob Dubow says residents should see updated tax bills by October.
“This year we will also finally give homeowners in Philadelphia an equitable, transparent, fair property tax assessment system,” said Nutter. “For decades this broken, mysterious system has meant that many people have been paying more than they should, while others have paid less than they should.”
The mayor and city officials are pushing back on claims that it’s a tax-hike. Nutter says some Philadelphians will see property tax cuts.
The additional money is expected to go to the school district which has an estimated $26 million dollar budget gap this year and a projected deficit next year as high as $400 million.
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Along with the 2013 fiscal year budget, Nutter is also required to present a Five Year Plan from 2013 to 2017. The plan includes proposals to restart the promised reductions in city wage and business taxes that were suspended because of the recession.
Nutter announced his intention to spend $4.1 million to hire about 400 new police officers over the next year and half. The mayor says the city wants to maintain a police force of 6,500 uniformed officers on the street over the life of the new Five Year Plan.
The mayor also reviewed other city efforts to stem violent crime and the growing homicide rate in Philadelphia.
“We combined a zero tolerance attitude toward those who would terrorize our neighborhoods with a community policing approach that built trust and a sense of partnership between citizens and the men and women whose job it is to protect us.”
The list includes initiatives by the police and District Attorney Seth Williams to seek automatic jail time for anyone caught with illegal guns, to offer up to $20,000 for tips leading to an arrest and conviction for a homicide and to publish a list of Philadelphia’s 100 most wanted criminals.
Nutter said his budget recommendations are based on rebuilding and remaking Philadelphia for the 21st century.
