Tight Times, Tough Choices -- Pinn Church (2/23/09)

In small working groups, citizens reviewed list of budget cuts and revenue options the PPCE constructed from the city’s budget scenarios.  Working first as individuals, then as a group, citizens prioritized ways to close the budget gap by placing them into four "buckets" — Low-Hanging Fruit, No Ways No Hows, Shared Pain, and Gut Wrenchers. "Low-Hanging Fruit" means those options that are immediate "winners", that generate a quick consensus. "No Ways No Hows" represent the immediate "losers", or those choices citizens believe to be off the table. "The Shared Pain" bucket contains those options that are unpleasant and unpopular, but that they feel would be acceptable. "Gut Wrenchers" are those choices that no one wants to make but they recognize as what needs to be done to help the city as a whole.

Below you will find links to each group's moderator report, which includes the four buckets and the discussion that led citizens to make those choices, as well as memorable quotes or creative ideas that came up during the process.

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 Group 7

Groups 8-13 and M

Group 1

Moderators: Kiki Bolender, Benjamin Cromie, David Secan
Total points: 39

Group Description

There were 12 people in the group. Seven were male and five were female; nine were white and three were African-American. We estimate that eight were between the ages of 21 and 40, one was 41 to 60 years old, and three were over 60.

The group was skeptical of the process throughout, although it was a very good discussion. One worksheet was filled out by a gentleman who could not stay for the whole event, but he did not say if he was dissenting. One person tried to dominate the discussion.

Low-Hanging Fruit

Total points: 39

  • 20. Eagles - $8 million - 4 points
    • Unanimous
    • Eagles might leave the city if they don't have a friendly environment
    • Eagles should pay their own way
  • 21. Parking - 30% tax - 10 points
    • Almost everyone
    • Raise to 30% to lower congestion
    • City could lose revenue from visitors
    • Lower parking meter rates
    • Improve SEPTA and paratransit, use more PhillyCarShare
  • 17. Amusement - increase to 6% - 2 points
    • Perhaps in CC only - although some countered this might not be feasible
    • Perhaps only on high ticket prices.
  • 3. Drop Program - end program - 3 points
    • Almost everyone
    • Don't cut the full value - just 3 points worth
    • Exclude city council
    • Don't hire people under a new position after they take the deal
  • 16. Vehicle Fleet - reduce budget by 20% - 3 points
    • Almost everyone
    • Don't cut by full value - just 3 points
    • Only non-essential vehicles
    • Use more Zip Cars/PhillyCarShare/SEPTA
    • Cut City Council cars (they know it is in a separate budget)
  • 12. Prisons - reduce budget by 10% - 10 points
    • The group liked the idea of diversion and other alternate sentencing programs for non-violent/drug offenders
    • Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison stated that the programs work but "nimbyism" (Not In My Back Yard) limits implementation
    • Dedicate 10% of existing programs and services in other departments (housing, etc.) to alternate sentencing.
  • 1. Administrative - 5 points
    • Unanimous
  • 9. Law - Reduce budget by 30% - 2 pts
    • Unanimous, little discussion
    • "Kill the lawyers."
  • General note
    • Wherever possible, pursue private funding to fill gaps, e.g. libraries and recreation
    • One person countered that the city can afford to fund these "essential" services with public funding. A debate on what was "essential" ensued.
Mentioned but not selected
  • 25. Wage/Resident - increase 0.1% to 4.0396 - 12 points
    • Votes for 25 and 26 taken together
  • 26. Wage/Commuter - increase 0.1% to 3.5997 - 5 points
    • Some think it can be raised higher - to the 2004 levels.
    • We should exempt some income to make the tax progressive, or convert it to an income tax.
    • Jennie Sparandara of the Mayor's Office of Policy and Planning said that we can legally raise commuter tax to same as residential level
    • "Is it temporary or is the city going to get used to it?"
  • 18. BPT Gross Receipts - 2 points
    • Exempt first $500,000
    • Need to encourage small businesses
    • "We need a business friendly city:
    • City should not shelter what it pays for consultants
    • There should a business tax abatement or a "city opportunity zone"
    • Focus on a tax structure that is progressive
    • Stop giving hand-outs to corporations (Comcast, for its building)
  • 22. Real Estate - both tax increases - 5 points per mil
    • Tax non profits: schools and churches (this was the primary comment of the evening by one individual)
  • 13. Public Health - 0 points
    • Nursing homes are very important part of public health
    • They don't just help the elderly
    • Perhaps they could be managed privately
No Ways, No Hows
Total points: 120

Towards the end of the session, the group agreed that the city should not cut essential services. They quickly came to consensus that all options related to the following areas are "essential" and are not to be cut:

  • 4. Fairmount Park - 2 points
  • 5. Fire - 20 points
  • 6. Free Library - 3 points
  • 7. Housing -7 points
  • 8. Human Services - 19 points
  • 10. Licenses and Inspections - 4 points
    • "They need more money so they can do their job right."
  • 11. Police - 52 points
  • 13. Public Health -8 points
    • Notes from discussion in Low-Hanging Fruit above:
      • Nursing homes are very important part of public health
      • They don't just help the elderly
      • Perhaps they could be managed privately
  • 14. Recreation -5 points
Shared Pain
Total points: 0

Mentioned but not selected

  • 4. Fairmount Park - both cuts
    • One person mentioned that, although she loved the park, she would suggest it in the spirit of shared sacrifice, but the motion was voted down.
Gut Wrenchers

Total points: 0

  • We did not reach this section
Big, Hairy, Ambitious Goals
  • We did not reach this section
Memorable Quotes 
  • "We need a business-friendly city."
  • Regarding Licenses and Inspections: "They need more money so they can do their job right."
  • "Creative thinking saved the libraries. We are here because we 'broke the rules.'"
Process
  • One person believed that some of the information on the worksheet was incorrect
  • "We should be focusing on the big picture."
  • "We have to decide whether we deal with what we can change for 2010 or look at long-term ideas."
  • At one point the group voted to abandon the worksheet process in order to discuss the big picture, but immediately after the vote, people returned to discussing the worksheet.

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Group 2

Moderators: Ellen Greenberg, Eddie Battle
Total points: 37

Group Description

Group 2 had 16 members for most of the evening and dropped to 15 towards the end of the session, as reflected in the percentages of votes. There were 10 women and six men, predominantly African-American. Ages ranged from mid 20s to late 60s.

After receiving the process overview and charge for the evening, participants were ready to work. Energy levels were high, all exchanges and points of contention were civil. Yes, there were natural leaders that emerged, the group structure and moderators stopped anyone from dominating the group or anyone being "silenced". No, the group didn't make it through each of the buckets. Gut-Wrenchers were not addressed. No dissenting worksheets were filed.

Low-Hanging Fruit

Total points: 25

  • # 20, EAGLES: 4 points (100 %).
  • # 17, AMUSEMENT: 2 points (15/1=94%)
    • Against increase-"Wants to make sure we're thinking about how to keep people in the city."
  • # 21, PARKING: 2 points (100%)
    • "Increase parking more." A great deal of debate on this item. The choice was on hold for awhile then voted upon.
  • # 18a, BPT: GROSS RECEIPTS: 2 points (14/16=88%)
    • Members voiced concerns that raising the millage would hurt small businesses and independent contractors.
  • # 19a, BPT: NET INCOME: 2 points (12/16=75%)
  • # 22a REAL ESTATE: 5 points (12/16=75%)
    • Raise in millage will..."decrease home owner's margin for getting by."
    • "City is losing home owners"..."lost millions of people"..."moving out of city."
    • "Can't have empty homes."
    • (Need) "for an age moratorium...say at age 60...you stop paying (tax)."
    • (It's only) "$4.00 per month on your mortgage, (I) think people leave the city because of poor services not high taxes."
    • "Would pay more if (I) knew the schools would be better and other services would be better."
  • # 16 VEHICLE FLEET: 6 points (15/16=94%)
    • "They'll (the city) make wise decisions about what to cut."
  • # 15b STREET: 2 points (75+ %)
    • Levy fee for commercial collections- "Concerned about business."
No Ways, No Hows
Total points:
  • # 14 RECREATION: (14/16=88%)
  • # 7a HOUSING: (14/15=93%)
  • # 5a FIRE: (75+ %)
    • "Already receive cuts."
    • "Matter of public safety."
    • "Response time cut (longer), we need fire dept."
Shared Pain
Total points: 12
  • # 24 SALES: 6 points (10/16=63%)
    • Against increase-"States' only 6%...people need to recognize that in the Commonwealth it's only 6 %...making it not a positive thing (activity) to shop in the city."
    • For increase- "don't have to pay taxes for food/clothing."
    • For increase- "It's .1 %, It costs more in gas to go somewhere else."
    • Against increase- "It's not OK to raise a regressive tax that applies to everyone."
    • Against increase- "Taxes should be based on income."
  • # 3 DROP PROGRAM: 4 points (50+ %)
    • "Don't understand what it is."
    • Don't include elected officials." This point was stressed by the group.
  • # 13c PUBLIC HEALTH: 1 points (50+ %)
    • "People can get over the counter drugs elsewhere."
    • "Co-pay would be sliding scale."
  • # 25a WAGE/RESIDENT: 1 points (50+ %)
Gut Wrenchers

We didn't get to this list of items

Big, Hairy, Ambitious Goals

We didn't get to this list of items

Memorable Quotes
  • "Why do you need a training program for a city official, they're elected, unacceptable." This point was also stressed by the group.
  • # 12b PRISON
    • "Would rather close one prison as opposed to making all the prisons crappier."
    • "Assume that there are a lot of non-violent offenders" (in prison).
    • "$35.00 fee for prisoners upon entry" (into prison). "Wouldn't want to see debt added" (to prisoners record).
    • Not enough people supported making either a 10% or 20% cut and placement into a bucket.
  • #15c STREETS - Trash Pick-up fee
    • "How would you regulate?"
    • "Doesn't support a flat fee, would support a pay-as-you-go"
  • One subgroup had detailed discussion on raising revenue as opposed to cutting services.
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Group 3

Moderators: Joan Davis, Pete Lafferty
Total points: 58

Group Description

Our group was composed of 16 citizens; 10 women and six men. There were five African Americans and 11 Caucasians. Nine appeared to be under 40 years of age and seven above 40.

Our group was situated in the basement room with four other groups which necessitated a closeness which helped conversation. There weren't too many process questions or objections, and the group moved into the work. We split them into four small groups of four people each. While there appeared to be some dominant personalities, responses were heard from across most of the entire group. There were a few who were into advocating strongly for their positions on matters. One woman was advocating for homeless issues and stood to make her point, and raised her point in making her speech. Another person asked if he could make his statement, and stood to make it. We brought the group back to the deliberation process and continued our work. Overall, citizens listened as best they could and wanted to hear others and be heard. The group was appreciative of everyone's efforts and some of the suggestions were of a volunteerism spirit (volunteer fire department, volunteers for Fairmount Park, etc. — please see other parts of the report). Our city budget officials were helpful in clarifying points as the evening progressed.

Dissenting worksheets: We didn't note any completed.

Low-Hanging Fruit

Total Points: 14

  • #20: Eagles: 4 pts
    • No discussion
    • Vote: 13/16: 81%
  • #1: Administrative: 5 pts
    • Who is cut; what services are affected?
    • Transferable skills held by workers in these positions make it easier for them to find new jobs.
    • Civil Service cuts are tough to make; will cuts be effective?
    • Vote: 12/16: 75%
  • #1: Administrative Revenue option: 1 pt
    • Vote: 15/16: 94%
  • #3: DROP Program: 4 pts
    • Is this going to save money?
    • City Council gave this; was it fair to give?
    • Standard: if doing the DROP Program, employees can't return to work
    • Vote: 12/16: 75%
No Ways, No Hows
Total points: 62
  • #2: Courts: 10 pts
    • Critical to keep entire flow going; backups would occur.
    • Keep in place to help with efficiency
    • Vote: 13/16: 81%
  • #8: Human Services: 19 pts
    • Citizen would like more information on this topic
    • Mostly federal/state dollars supporting the budget
    • Vote: 14/16: 88%
  • #7: Housing: 7 pts
    • End support for home purchases
    • Concern over amount of affordable housing stock
    • Get folks into foreclosed areas/homes
    • Lower shelter population
    • Vote: 14/16: 88%
  • #13: Public Health: 5 pts
    • Keep nursing home; privatization would increase costs and make it unaffordable
    • Don't close health center; no OTC meds
    • Privatize? City can rent out the space to the vendor; bring in revenue, not on city budget.
    • Vote: 13/16: 81%
  • #12: Prisons: 21 pts
    • Cut would cost more.
    • Invest more into this
    • 10% of prison population doesn't belong there
    • How is the quality of life?
    • Vote: 12/16: 75%
Shared Pain
Total points: 11
  • #17: Amusement: 2 pts
    • Affects kids and seniors; those with fixed income or multiple kids
    • Vote: 11/16: 69%
  • #21: Parking: 2 pts
    • More public transportation
    • Too expensive to park
    • So. Philly parking culture (double-parking): should be a revenue source; is there bias/unfair enforcement?
    • Vote: 12/16: 75%
  • #23: Real Estate Transfer: 2 pts
    • Housing Trust Fund implications?
    • Increase Trust Fund?
    • Increase affordable housing
    • Won't affect housing purchases
    • More rental properties desired
    • Housing stock is demolished and replaced with higher priced properties
    • Propose up to 4% increase
    • Variables: raise fees — what impact on revenue?
    • Strive for long-term sustainability
    • Increase fees...move people in?
    • Vote: 11/16: 69%
  • #22: Real Estate: 5 pts
    • Low income stipulation
    • During poor economy avoid this increase
    • Land value: empty lot challenge: tax lots/entire space vs. just the building
    • Increase to 2 mil.
    • Vote: 9/16: 56%
Gut Wrenchers
Total points: 33
  • #11: Police: modified to 23 pts
    • Cut 10%
    • Is a huge amount of the budget
    • No way not to take a hit
    • Not enough Police in neighborhood; keep the police
    • Supplement coverage with University Police
    • Bike patrols by volunteers
    • Don't reduce specialty units or unit size
    • No layoffs; just keep those positions vacant unfilled
    • Control overtime costs; audit if necessary
    • Cops in court result in overtime costs
    • Vote: 13/16: 81%
  • #5: Fire: 10 pts
    • If Police dept. can take hit, so can Fire
    • Volunteer force?
    • Inefficient to close, then re-open a firehouse
    • Vote: 13/16: 81%
Big, Hairy, Ambitious Goals

We did not get to this part

New Ideas
  • Pilot Question: Have partnerships with non-profits: hospitals/universities: support libraries, etc.
  • Mill Rate: increase to 35
  • Pensions into 401k programs
  • Use volunteers for Fairmount park, parks and recreation departments, fire department
  • Fairmount Park and Parks and Recreation departments help kids
  • Take grassroots organizations seriously
  • Empower youth
  • Declare bankruptcy; renegotiate contracts and wages
  • Want to "pay per bag" for garbage collection
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Group Number 4

Moderators: Cassandra Georges, Jean DiSabatino, Fatima Hafiz
Total points: 78.5

Group Description

There were 17 participants. There were 12 women, four African American, eight Caucasian. There were five men, one  African American, three Caucasian, and one Latino. Participants were over 21 years of age, with a couple reaching into their 70s and 80s.

There were two people who never spoke. Participants' energy level increased over time, although they started fairly engaged. People began talking to one another instead of directly to you. There were animated but not heated conversations. We did not make it through each of the buckets. There was a guy at the beginning who tried to make an activist speech about the process being flawed. We responded to him very quickly. After giving him a moment to finish his thought, we invited him to leave video testimony. He left. We never officially discussed gut busters.

There were no dissenting worksheets filed.

Low-Hanging Fruit

Total points: 15

  • #20 Make Eagles pay - for 4 points, gaining 4 points
  • #16 Vehicle Fleet for 6 points, gaining 6 points
    • Questions about whether this included police cars
  • # 3 Drop program for 4 points, gaining 4 points
    • Worry about abuse of system.
    • However, not everyone abuses. It's not just used by council members. It has been used by long time employees.
    • Designed to bridge the gap between retiring employees and their subsequent vacancies.
    • Will it actually save money?
  • #1b Administrative for 1 point , gaining 1 point
No Ways, No Hows

Total points:

  • #13a Public Health for 5 points, gaining 0 points with unanimous vote
    • There is fear of increased homelessness, domestic violence, etc.
    • Even if we cut here, will have to pay for it elsewhere.
    • Started at 20% and received unanimous so no need to go to 30%
  • #13b Public Health for 7 points
  • #7 Housing for 7 points, gaining 0 points
    • There are too many people losing jobs/ losing homes.
    • Cutting costs means we also lose the corresponding federal dollars.
    • It was already cut in last budget.
    • Vacant lots are connected to crime
    • Greening is valuable
  • #11a Police for 26 points, gaining 6.5 points at 2.5%
    • Emphasized importance of having police protection. Police officer, no matter their daily duties, is still an officer. One less makes us more vulnerable
    • How many people are being laid off instead of leaving vacancy unfilled
    • Were unwilling to make substantial cuts, not even 5%, rejected with unanimous vote
    • Concerned over too many cuts. Are cuts going to result in greater efficiency or just a cut in service?
    • Police should cut back on giving out tickets on the highway, and instead focus on street patrols
    • Increase fees for parking tickets
    • Tie police budget to performance standards. Create incentives for training and stop police misconduct.
  • #14c Recreation for 5 points, gaining 0 points
    • Were unwilling to make any cuts, not even 5%, rejected with unanimous vote
Shared Pain

Total points: 57

  • #17 Amusement tax for 2 points, gaining 2 points with simple majority
    • Is it across the board? Should be applied equally to all types of tickets.
    • In light of economic downturn, this is our substitute for expensive vacations. We can't afford to travel, so this needs to stay within budget.
  • #1a Administrative cuts for 5 points, gaining 5 points with simple majority
    • Mayor hired large staff. Cut the Mayor's staff and use that money to pay for essential staff
    • Hire grant writer to help Philadelphia bring in more money
  • #12a Prison cuts for 10 points, gaining 10 points with 14 of 16 votes
    • 30,000 people are under arrest without being convicted
    • Important to address overcrowding by releasing only nonviolent offenders
    • Important to preserve services to released offenders
    • Concern over violent offenders falling through the cracks and getting out prison improperly
    • Must improve screening. Help people who should be released on bail but are in prison only because they can't afford bail
    • Clear refusal to cut job training
    • Most of the money is spent on housing people not on services
  • #5a Fire cuts for 10 points, gaining 5points with 13 of 16 votes
    • Were unwilling to make substantial cuts like 10% or 20%, settled for 5%
  • #15c Streets Dept. Add fee for pay as you throw for 13 points, with 11 of 16 votes, gaining 13 points
    • City actually saves money by recycling. Doesn't have to pay for transfer to landfills.
    • Might encourage dumping
    • People already dump even though trash pick up is free. There will always be dumpers.
    • Create a dump site.
    • The majority of citizens will follow the rules. Don't worry about small minority of rule breakers.
    • Enforce littering/dumpling laws
    • If there is a bureaucracy to enforce law, might negate savings
    • Create standardization. There are inequalities in service between neighborhoods. One resident can put out an item and it gets picked up. A resident of a different neighborhood can put the same item and it gets left behind.
    • Willing to pay extra to ensure that trash and recycling is provided every week.
    • Questions about logistics for apartments and the role of a private contractor
    • What happens if someone does NOT pay? Is their trash not picked up?
    • Wants to maintain parity of cuts between police and fire. If police is cut by X, fire should be affected the same way.
  • #15a Streets for 10 points, gaining 0 points
    • Get rid of red light cameras. How much does it cost to maintain system? Do cameras generate actual revenue/surplus? State and Parking authority pay
    • Must keep alley lights. It's too dangerous without them.
  • #15b Streets for 2 points, gaining 2 points with 12 of 16 votes
  • #21 Parking for 2 points, gaining 2 points with 10 of 14 votes
    • Parking can be cheaper evenings and weekends (peak times)
  • #9 Law for 2 points, gaining 1 point with 8 of 14 votes
    • Concern over how cuts might affect the City
  • #25b Wage/Resident for 12 points, gaining 12 points with 12 of 14 votes
    • There is a trade off. We end up losing population/
    • Law firms don't pay income tax.
    • The information is too vague to handle this.
    • Any tax increase must include sunset clause or expiration date.
  • #26b Wage/Commuter for 5 points, gaining 5 points with 11 of 14 votes
    • If we're willing to raise our rates as residents, we should do it for commuters too.
  • #24 Sales for 6 points, gaining 0 points with 2 of 14 votes
    • Participants compared NJ's & DE's tax. Vote failed.
Gut Wrenchers

Total points: 0

  • None
Big, Hairy, Ambitious Goals
  • Eliminate Row Offices - was volunteered at very end
Memorable Quotes
  • "If we don't hit 100%, we don't hit 100%, but then the City will still cut 100%."
We did not make it to the following items
  • #2 Courts for 10 points
  • #4a Fairmount Park for 1 point
  • #4b Fairmount Park for 2 points
  • #6a Free Library for 1 point
  • #6b Free Library for 3 points
  • #8a Human Services for 9 points
  • #8b Human Services for 19 points
  • #10 Licenses & Inspections for 4 points
  • #13c Public Health for 1 point
  • #18a BPT: Gross Receipts for 2 points
  • #18b BPT: Gross Receipts for 2 points
  • #19a BPT: Net Income for 2 points
  • #19b BPT: Net Income for 2 points
  • #22a Real Estate for 5 points
  • #22b Real Estate for 5 points
  • #23a Real Estate Transfer for 2 points
  • #23b Real Estate Transfer for 2 points
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Group 5

Moderators: Beth Perry and Ted Enoch
City representative: Jeff Friedman

Total Points: 52

Group Description

Group 5 had a dozen people (seven men, five women), three fourths of whom were African-American, with one Asian and two whites. One senior citizen — who more than held his own — was balanced by two people in their late twenties; the rest were middle-aged. Several participants came from South Philadelphia and Roxborough, but the majority came from the surrounding neighborhood. One was a block captain on the mayor's block.

Group 5 had lively discussions as people pressed to get their opinions heard, but the overall spirit was cheerful. One person was heard to remark on leaving that "We had good discussions...and no screaming matches." The group's one senior citizen said "Next time get more senior citizens." (He had been alone in resisting real estate tax increases.) One person lightheartedly responded "You gotta get more of your own people out..." The group did proceed to move through all four buckets, approving one gut wrencher at the end.

There were no dissenting worksheets.

Low Hanging Fruit

Total Points: 16

  • #3 DROP 4 points 92% of the votes
  • #1 Vehicle Fleet 6 84%
  • #20 Eagles 4 100%
  • #15B Streets 2 75%

Other items discussed, but not getting enough votes to qualify for this category:

  • #15C Streets 13 8%
  • #21 Parking 2 8%
    • One person proposed getting rid of all parking meters in commercial districts (South Street, Walnut Street) as an incentive for shopping in these locations (so as to generate more commerce and higher tax receipts).
    • Group vote on this unscripted proposal: 2 out of 12, or 17% of the vote.
    • One person objected that shoppers might not be the ones using this perk.
    • Local residents and local workers could tie up these spots.
    • Plan could lead to traffic problems
    • How about time periods of free parking? (1 - 4 PM, for instance)
    • New parking meter rates are really, really high.
    • Nearby St. Joseph's issue: students' parking on neighborhood streets crowds residents.
    • Personal safety issue: One South Philadelphia woman drives to Center City cultural events because of fear of public transit crime; (also uses taxi to get from public downtown garage to cultural venue to avoid crime)
    • Higher garage rates (#21) would help keep her (and others) away from Center City cultural events.
    • And yet...public safety requires revenue (from parking? Or from???)
  • #4A Fairmount Park 1 25%
No Way No How
  • #5B Fire 100% of the votes
  • #13B Public Health 75%
  • #14C Recreation 100%
  • #14B Recreation 92%
  • #11B Police 100%
  • #11A Police 75%
  • #6B Free Library 84%
  • #7 Housing 92%
  • #10 Licenses and Inspections 84%
    • Businesses and vendors should be inspected.
    • Already has trouble delivering full service at this current budget level.
  • #12B Prisons 84%
    • Already overcrowded at this current budget level.
    • We already have too many criminals on our streets.
    • We need re-entry services for prisoners.
    • We need alternatives to prisons for nonviolent offenders.
    • Should we charge prisoners for room and board?
  • #2 Courts 75%

These items were discussed but did not get enough votes to qualify for NWNH:

  • #5A Fire 67%
  • #8B Human Services 67%
  • #8A Human Services 50%
  • #13A Public Health 67%
  • #14A Recreation 67%
  • #6A Free Library 67%
  • #12A Prisons 50%
  • #9 Legal 33%
Shared Pain

Total Points: 34

  • #1A Administrative 5 points 75% of the votes
    • Administrative (#1A and 1B) problems have been created over many years: uncollected taxes and abatement privileges granted are examples.
    • Cut Administrative budget: "They're not doing their job."
    • Administrative problems require performance standards.
    • Taxpayers have to stand in line for one half hour to pay money (!) — so use improved technology to correct this.
  • #22A Real Estate 5 75%
  • #1B Administrative 1 67%
    • It's hard enough to start a business, so don't add fees.
  • #25B Wage/Resident 12 67%
  • #26B Wage/Commuter 5 84%
  • #24 Sales 6 58%
    • Sales: Look at State of Delaware: low taxes build up their commercial base.
    • Sales dissent: Our sales tax is not placed on necessities like food and clothing.

These items were discussed but did not get enough votes to register for SP:

  • #15A Streets 50%
  • # 23A Real Estate Transfer 50%
    • Senior citizen participant proposed excluding senior citizens (but it's not legal to exclude a particular class of taxpayers...)
    • Might be legal to have an income threshold rebate.
    • Valuation inequities, so we need fairer reassessments.
    • Tax abatements present equity issue — not fair
Discussion:
  • City needs to do a better job of collecting taxes.
  • Question to city representative: Q: Does recycling generate income? A: It used to, but doesn't currently.
Gut Wrenchers

Total Points: 2

One item made this list

  • #17 Amusement 2 67% of the votes

These items were discussed, but did not the required votes to qualify for the GW list:

  • #23A Real Estate Transfer 50% of the votes
    • Tax doesn't amount to much: If you can afford a house, you can afford this tax.
  • # 4A Fairmount Park 50%
    • Irony: We just voted in November to get rid of the Fairmount Park Commission (with its capacity for fundraising...)
    • Build coin-operated fountains (!)
  • # 6A Free Library 33%
  • # 11A Police 50%
  • # 5A Fire 25%
    • If we cut police, it's only fair to cut fire as well...
  • # 13A Public Health 8%
    • Cut out one nursing home and replace it with funds and services for "aging in place" program; should be cheaper.
    • One person (doctor from the VA) said that city public health centers are already totally overburdened; people are losing their jobs and their health insurance and turning to the city clinics. These clients need OTC drug provisions, so don't cut.
  • # 12B Prisons 8%

Discussion:

  • Cut overtime charges.
  • Proposal: Go over the budget, arranging for 70% of the budget shortfall to come from cuts in services and 30% of the shortfall to come from revenue increases. Then proceed to take a little from each line item — a 5% cut from each item, for instance.
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Group Number 6

Moderators: Rochelle Krombolz, Onaje Muid
Total points: 23

Group Description:

Group 6 was quite a large group, ranging in size from 21-24 at different points in time due to participants coming in and out of the room and others who had not started with us joining mid-way into the exercise. The group was comprised by 12 women, 10 men, 14 African American, eight white/Caucasian. Ages ranged from eight years to approx. 65 years. We had only two or three people who identified themselves as city employees. Participants resided in various parts of Philadelphia, not solely West Philadelphia. For at least two participants this was their third budget forum meeting.

With few exceptions this was a lively and engaged group. While somewhat skeptical of the process initially, once they began working in the small groups there were spirited conversations in which all members appeared to be participating. There were a few folks who were uncomfortable with the lack of detailed information and short time period for the exercise. Our representative from the city was asked a number of times to provide clarification on various questions during the small group discussion, which he did in a very helpful and supportive way.

Our groups had a number of items to discuss for the Low Hanging Fruit and we spent the vast majority of our time there. We also got to No Way No Hows, and came up with one Gut Wrencher, one Shared Pain, and a few "other ideas."

On several occasions the group got quite loud and there were a few separate conversations happening, which required some intervention by the moderators in order to restore some order. The group did a nice job of listening to and responding to each other's comments, with the tone at times becoming a little heated. No one person dominated the discussion. The majority of participants completed both pre- and post-surveys.

No dissenting worksheets were filed.

Low-Hanging Fruit

Total points: 21

  • #16 Reduce Vehicle Fleet (95%) 6 pts
    • People shouldn't be driving city vehicles home or for personal use
    • We should have more people using vehicles from a pool versus having their own vehicles
    • Why aren't we allowing people to drive their own cars but expense mileage for business purposes for reimbursement? That's how I do it for business.
    • They should buy bus tokens and use SEPTA.
  • #20 Make the Eagles pay (100%) 4 pts
    • Maybe the Eagles and Phillies players should be paying something to us.
  • #18 BPT: Gross Receipts (82%) 2 pts
    • The group agreed to this with the provision that the increase would not apply to the first $500K of revenues. We don't want to further disadvantage the small business owners.
  • #1a Administrative (77%) 5 pts
    • What are all these people doing? Why should we pay for inefficiencies?
    • We should streamline here to the points that everyone is held accountable for doing their job and doing it right.
    • Why do we need a Chief of Staff?!!!!! We don't!
    • We should be very careful about eliminating jobs for low wage earners
  • #1b Administrative Revenue options 0 pts
    • This was proposed for a LHF (Low Hanging Fruit) but did not receive sufficient votes (18%) and therefore did not make the list.
    • These are generally one time fees so let's add them here.
      • We would be adding $30 to fees already between $40 - $80.
      • This is too expensive
      • How much could it cost to make a photo copy? Seems to me that we are paying for inefficiencies.
      • We should be looking at new technology to improve efficiency
  • # 3 Drop the Drop Program (77%) 4 pts
  • #17 Amusement
    • Was proposed for LHF but did not receive sufficient votes (32%) and therefore did not make the list
No Ways, No Hows
Total points: n/a
  • #6 Free Library (86%)
  • #4 Fairmount Park (82%)
    • This was approved with the caveat that it would be ok to close some of the decorative fountains on non-special event days in order to conserve water and electricity
    • Here is an example. We used to have 640 staff taking care of Cobb's Creek Park and now we are down to 140 people. There is no way that we can keep these parks clean/operational if we cut further.
    • We also already lost the 92nd Precinct in there...no one is going to want to go to the parks.
    • We must leave the drinking fountains.
  • # 14 Recreation (86%)
  • #5 Fire (95%)
  • #11 Police (77%)
  • #15c Streets Revenue Option was proposed for NWNH but did not quite achieve sufficient votes. We ran out of time to vote to see if it should go into SP.
    • Do NOT charge residents for trash removal!
    • People on a fixed income can't afford this.
Shared Pain

Total points: 2

  • #19 BPT: Net Income (64%) 2 pts
    • This was supported with the provision that the first $300K of profits not be subject to the increased tax. Again, we don't want to further disadvantage the small business owners.
  • #21 Parking 0 pts
    • Parking was originally proposed for LHF but did not receive 75% approval. We subsequently had some discussion on it for SP, but could not reach consensus.
    • Most of the revenue from those lots/garages goes to the owners. Can't we get more $ from them in taxes?
  • #12 Prisons We didn't actually discuss this as a group, however, one participant asked at the conclusion of the meeting that we capture the suggestion that we reduce the prison populations by eliminating bail for non-violent offenders.
Gut Wrenchers

Total points: 2

  • #23 Real Estate Transfer (77%) 2 pts.
  • #22 Real Estate Tax increase was immediately rejected by the group without a formal vote
    • We're already paying enough in taxes.
    • My child doesn't even go to the public school.
Other ideas

 

  • Why not apply the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program to our sports teams?
  • If we froze salaries for 3 years for just the top levels of city government, that would close the whole gap.
  • The city uses a lot of postage and they don't have to pay for it.
  • Tax abatement: we should discontinue it starting in 2010 in order that we can build back into our property tax base.
  • There are a lot of empty lots alongside of residences. The city should make those available for purchase by other owners on that same block for a flat fee of $2000 and forgiveness of outstanding property taxes.
Big, Hairy, Ambitious Goals
  • We really didn't have much discussion here at all. There was a sense, however, that the group was in favor of getting the money for court costs.
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Group 7

Dick Gross, Franne McNeal
43.5 points

Group Description:

The group began with twenty-two members who represented six neighborhoods in West, Southwest, South, Germantown, North, and Northwest Philadelphia. The group was 40% women and 60% men. The racial make-up was 30% Caucasian and 70% African-American. The ages range from late 20s through seniors.

A "pre-session" was held during the plenary (since the building was not handicapped-accessible) for seven people who were wheelchair bound and/or used assistive devices for mobility. Members were interviewed by WHYY news staff. When the plenary ended, the large group (of 22), was eager to begin the process.

After five minutes reviewing the worksheet, small groups were formed to identify "Low Hanging Fruit" and the "No Way, No Hows". Then, in the larger group, "top choices were shared, with discussion, and voting. Generally, the conversation was fairly distributed among the group. "Shared Pain" items were noted, and discussed towards the end of the evening. At 9:15 p.m. people were invited to write down additional charts on the flip chart (information included in these notes). People expressed that there was a sense of community among the members in getting the work done. Overall, it was a good group that worked hard.

One dissenting worksheet was filed.

Low-Hanging Fruit

Total Points: 21

  • #1 - Administrative, 5 points (75%)
    • City official provided some clarification.
  • #16 - Vehicle Fleet: 6 points (80%)
    • Not much discussion.
  • #17 - Amusement tax, 2 points (100%)
    • Generally felt that it taxed those that used the services, which was appropriate.
  • #20 - Eagles, 4 points (90%)
  • #21 - Parking, 2 points, (80%)
  • #23 - Real estate Transfer Tax, 2 points (75%)
No Way, No How
Total Points: 116
  • #5 - Fire - 20% cut - 20 points (100%)
    • There was no support for ANY cuts for the Fire Department.
    • "What about a process or criteria for cutting jobs (based on age, fitness, ability to do the job without physical limitations)?"
    • "The cuts sound unsafe. The %'s seem high."
  • #6 - Free Library - 20% cut - 3 points (100%)
    • There was absolutely no discussion regarding making a 20% cut to the Library budget. (A 10% cut was moved to the Shared Pain bucket.)
  • #7 - Housing, 7 points (100%)
    • "This is not just a issue of "lost beds," people are involved."
  • #13 - Public Health - 20% cut - 5 point (75%)
    • "For many people (with aids, cancer, etc), this is their only option."
    • "For many people, the city nursing home is their only option."
  • #13 - Public Health - 30% cut -7 point (75%)
    • "For many people (with aids, cancer, etc), this is their only option."
    • "For many people, the city nursing home is their only option."
  • #13 - Public Health, revenue option, 1 point (72%)
    • "A small co-pay might be harmful, if people can't afford medication and don't get it."
  • #14 - Recreation - 10% cut - 2 point (100%)
    • "For many youth, the neighborhood park and rec center is vital to their mental health and safety. Traveling into another neighborhood for recreation may be unsafe as they move into other "territories/turfs".
    • Reduce hours, don't close centers."
    • "Carousel House, is the only park for disabled children/population/special needs, and it must be kept open."
  • #14 - Recreation - 20% cut - 3 point (100%)
  • #14 - Recreation - 30% cut - 5 point (100%)
Shared Pain
Total Points: 22.5
  • #1 - Administrative, revenue option, 1 points (51%)
    • Clarification, administrative fees, not City Council fees. Fees range form $50-$90 dollars for a variety of services.
    • "Probate fees and processing can get costly, when dealing with a will, due to the number of forms that need to be filed. Do not raise fees."
    • "If you pay these fees, can you deduct them on your taxes?"
  • #15a - Streets, revenue option, 13 points (51%)
    • "I already pay now, and I don't get my trash picked up, why should I pay more, and still not get my trash picked up?"
    • "Enforcement is an issue. Maybe we need to hire a "trash cop." People may dump trash on other people's property.
  • #25 - Wage/Resident, 6 points
    • Uncomfortable with proposal as stated, wanted to cut tax in half.
  • #26- Wage/Commuter, 2.5 points
    • Uncomfortable with proposal as stated, wanted to cut tax in half.
  • #2 - Courts - 0 points awarded
  • #3 - DROP Program- 0 points awarded
  • #8a - Human Services - 0 points awarded
    • Several people felt this was a "No Way No How" item
    • "Medicare does not cover everything."
  • #8b - Human Services - 0 points awarded
    • Several people felt this was a "No Way No How" item
  • #10 - Licenses and Inspections - 0 points awarded
    • Consider 10% cut. Don't want bugs in food or buildings falling down.
  • #11a - Police, 10% cut - 0 points awarded
    • Several people felt this was a "No Way No How" item
    • "We don't know enough to cut the budget."
    • "No reason to look at cuts. Services are needed"
    • "Nutter said in his campaign he would hire 100 more police. How can we cut the police before we even get them?"
  • #11b - Police, 20% cut - 0 points awarded
    • Several people felt this was a "No Way No How" item
  • #12a - Prisons, 10% cut - 0 points awarded
    • Several people felt this was a "No Way No How" item.
    • Use job training to prevent recurring cycle of behavior. Include programs for re-transitioning."
    • "If prisons are closed, be creative with what is done, consider other options including training."
  • #12b - Prisons, 20% cut - 0 points awarded
    • Several people felt this was a "No Way No How" item
  • #15a - Streets - 0 points awarded
    • "I think the 20% is a "No Way No How" item."
  • #22 - Real Estate - 0 points awarded
  • #24 - Sales Tax - 0 points awarded
Gut Wrenchers
  • Did not reach.
Big, Hairy Ambitious Goals
  • Did not reach.
  • "Even though we did not get to it, focus on getting payment for the judicial services." Need to make this a priority now, so it is not always a "long-term" issue.
Memorable Quotes
  • "None of these cuts will feel good. What is crucial to our lives, not just our quality of life?"
Other
  • Felt that all revenue options (#17 - #25? should be unanimously approved.
  • Unsatisfied with revenue options. A lot more could be done (rolling back tax cuts to "pre-Street Administration", progressive tax, and being creative with taxes on item that have not been taxed. Use aggressive tax collection processes.
  • Raise taxes on businesses, but figure out a way to not harm small businesses (stifle their growth)."
  • If do cuts, cuts should be uniform (across the board for all departments).
  • For #1, administration, 20% cut, what about modifying it to cut 10% and exempt some departments (meaning the departments that collect revenue).
  • For #1, administration, 20% cut, city official clarified that yes, city council did get an increase, and some city council members have given increase back, but in the city charter, the city council get $ from the budget.

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