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February 22, 2007
TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA:
I am herewith returning to you as disapproved Bill Number 060834 which would amend the Capital Budget for 2007 and Bill Number 060832 which would amend the Capital Program for Fiscal Years 2007 through 2012 by adding certain capital projects in Fiscal Year 2007. Together these bills allow for $20 million in improvements to existing Fire and Police Department facilities, and provide $1 million to each Council District for Improvements to existing recreation facilities. These amendments are funded by Bill Number 060833 which transferred $30 million from the General Fund to the Capital Budget.
At the same time, I have returned signed Bills Number 060961 and 060966 which would fund the compromise reached with twelve Members of City Council on the FY06 and FY07 Capital Budgets. It provides $850,000 in the FY05 Budget for Recreation Centers in each Council District. That number is increased to $900,000 for FY 06 and FY 07. The same compromise provides an additional $4.75 million for Police facilities and an additional $4.75 million for Fire Department facilities over the same three year period. No less important, the compromise allows the loan authorization that would actually fund the budgets to be placed on the May ballot.
This funding compromise is continued in the FY 08 Capital Budget and Program I have transmitted today. To address Council's concerns about Police and Fire Department facilities, I also have proposed to spend $18.5 million in PICA interest earnings to fund the following:
* $5 million for improvements to Police Stations,
* $5 million for improvements to Fire Stations,
* $5 million for a new Police SWAT facility, and
* $3.5 million for critical improvements to the Police warehouse where 188 men and women work.
Finally, the FY 08-12 Five Year Financial Plan assumes the $30 million is available to fund operating expenses in FY09. ...
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