PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — City Council gave final approval to next year’s city budget Thursday and passed more than 100 bills and resolutions.
The $6.37 billion budget takes effect July 1. It includes money to hire 400 new police officers, conduct citywide street cleaning, and pilot twice-a-week trash collection, among other initiatives.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson says it was a win for both Mayor Cherelle Parker and City Council.
“My colleagues all voted unanimously to pass the budget because it was a budget that also prioritized issues and concerns of City Council, so I believe it was a good negotiation process,” he said.
Among the scores of other bills, council approved speed cameras on Broad Street, curfews in several commercial corridors, standards for electric vehicle chargers, zoning for two new public health centers, and new training requirements for eviction officers.
One controversial measure will prohibit city departments from entering into emergency contracts rather than asking for bids when services are needed immediately. Several council members expressed reservations but only two voted no.
There was also a cut in funding for the city’s Labor Department, which enforces worker protections. A large contingent of public speakers denounced this.
“Whatever kind of political stuff happens in this building, to leave these women on the cutting room floor is absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful. These women deserve so much more respect than the budget you’re about to pass,” said Nicole Kligerman who helped found the Domestic Workers Alliance.
Council won’t meet again until September.