Title
Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 within the General Fund from the Office of Innovation and Technology, the Department of Public Health, and the Civil Service Commission to the Director of Finance-Community College of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, The Community College of Philadelphia is a vital institution of higher education, offering more than 70 associate’s degree and academic and proficiency certificate programs that are accessible to a wide cross-section of Philadelphians; and
WHEREAS, During the 2017-2018 academic year, the Community College of Philadelphia enrolled approximately 27,729 students including 13,361 full time students. The diverse racial makeup of its students is as follows: 50.8% African-American, 24.1% White, 14.8% Hispanic/Latino, 10.4% Asian/Pacific Islander, and .3% Native American; and
WHEREAS, The role of community colleges is crucial to strengthening the regional workforce in an increasingly technological and global world. Furthermore, they are an invaluable resource in our communities in addressing some of our most pressing issues; and
WHEREAS, When the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania founded community colleges in 1963, it mandated equal funding from three sources: the Commonwealth, the City, and the students; and
WHEREAS, The City has not been meeting its mandatory minimum appropriations to the Community College of Philadelphia for many years. As a result, there is an increasing financial burden placed on the students; and
WHEREAS, Community College of Philadelphia’s operating budget for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 is $134,712,576. Students provide 55% of the revenue through tuition and fees while the State is only providing 24% and the City is only providing 19%--a shortfall of $19,250,000; and
WHEREAS, It is long past time that the City of Philadelphia provide the minimum revenues required by the Commonwealth to fund Community College of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, It is the City’s responsibility to meet its financial obligation so that that Community College of Philadelphia can have the resources that are necessary to serve its students and the City of Philadelphia with high-quality public higher education; now therefore
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The Director of Finance is hereby authorized to make the following transfer in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 within the General Fund.
FROM: GENERAL FUND
2.5 THE MAYOR - OFFICE OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Personal Services $ 786,500
Purchase of Services $ 7,389,000
Materials, Supplies, & Equipment $ 3,831,000
Total .$ 12,006,500
2.22 THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Personal Services $ 1,282,500
Purchase of Services $ 1,427,500
Materials, Supplies, & Equipment $ 208,500
Total $ 2,918,500
2.58 THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Advances and Other Miscellaneous Payments $ 4,325,000
Total $ 4,325,000
Total “FROM” Section $ 19,250,000
TO: GENERAL FUND
2.37 THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA
Contributions, Indemnities and Taxes $ 19,250,000
Total $ 19,250,000
Total “TO” Section $ 19,250,000
SECTION 2. It is the intent of Council through this Ordinance to increase the appropriation to the Community College of Philadelphia to meet the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requirement for local funding.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
End