Philadelphia Fiscal 2010 Operating Budget
Mayor Nutter's Five-Year Financial Plan
Philly mayor's budget plan would spare libraries Nutter's proposal calls for a temporary 19 percent increase in the property tax for the fiscal year that begins in July, followed by a 14.5 percent increase the next year. It also proposes raising the sales tax from 7 percent to 8 percent for three years - a move that requires state approval - as well as cutting about 250 jobs and making changes to the city's pension plan.
If he does not get state approval for the sales tax hike, Nutter said, a contingency plan would include laying off 256 police recruits; deactivating three engine companies, two ladder companies and three emergency medical services units; reducing library and recreation center hours; closing a health center; and reducing trash collection to three times a month.
In November, Nutter inspired citizen protests when he announced plans to close 11 libraries and 68 of 81 swimming pools because of declining tax revenue and skyrocketing pension costs. A judge later ruled the mayor could not close libraries without City Council approval.
In his budget address Thursday, Nutter said that, with the help of private funding, 36 public swimming pools will now be open this summer. Programs for abused and neglected children and homeless assistance programs also will be preserved.
Nutter has said he opposes raising the city's wage tax as a means to create more revenue, as some have suggested. He also this year scrapped a plan to generate more money by charging residents $5 weekly or $1- to $2-per-bag fees for trash collection.
CLICK HERE to follow Action News on Twitter
CLICK HERE to get Action News on your website
CLICK HERE to find Action News on Facebook
