[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6617746,"mediaKeyId","2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792","parentId",2839451,"title","CAO presents FY26 budget priorities, outlines City College for Municipal Employment and consolidation of workforce functions","audioSeconds",298,"startMs",28000,"endMs",326000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792&start=28&end=326","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792/thumbnail_28000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617746/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/CAO-presents-FY26-budget-priorities-outlines-City-College-for-Municipal-Employment-and-consolidation-of-workforce-functions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617746-4f616043dce1ffba1a945d6fa994d961/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163177&Signature=SPFAaRzueGWXsn7pAUqHVEcPWCAR2RYWxKrYHWMRWjMya7rsT9n11cJmRes~Y2MYMPf~jGsL9Ns0J9Az~yYtL3y7LoCakxt~DmL59DWKpBulgxOuDM-AAOk4VCkQRnQLtvH6niP8S4VLZcgXwhQ9wPINiHlmQxDuw-WHMDth9YkBinvC7Za4HN2y6U1kf2MwpMrzRdAcGmpwgWiHUl1jVSQYDefjuuJMN4REN70Lj6J249CUtkVfy7VzCVf~WwkwBaDY48u9CJh0FI~Q11jGVZ1q7HKWjAdWqtCBE1lOvJUIkUUDTPf8i8BuOkQ3SkIXQqFq5v997ze54kdyGSBiwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Philadelphia City Council","date","2025-04-01T20:53:05.493Z","article","Council President Johnson convened the Committee of the Whole public hearing on the fiscal 2026 proposed operating and capital budgets and related tax and fee ordinances, and the chief administrative officer outlined how the CAO’s FY26 request supports workforce development, service delivery and administrative modernization.

“The FY26 budget for the Office of the CAO is critical to fulfilling the promise of our office and realizing the efficiency, innovation, and transformation necessary to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city in the nation,” CAO Camille Duchasse told council members. She described investments in workforce development, the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME), accessibility programs and a proposed internal control and optimization unit.

The CAO and CCME framed several priorities as enterprise-wide functions that support many departments. Carol DeFries, executive director of CCME, said the administration intends CCME to be “a first in the nation workforce model” and to coordinate training across the city’s departments and external partners. DeFries said CCME’s early cohorts and partnerships with Community College of Philadelphia and others will be used to connect residents to municipal jobs and “create clear pathways to municipal careers that offer family sustaining wages.”

Council members pressed the administration on why the Office of Workforce Development (formerly in Commerce) will be consolidated under the CAO. Duchasse and DeFries said the shift is intended to centralize and coordinate workforce activity across departments, reduce duplication of external partner outreach, and link internal city hiring with external workforce programs. “There were a lot of great work...that if coordinated, I think would have improved outcomes,” Duchasse said.

Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson pushed back on legal and code questions, noting Philadelphia Code Chapter 18-600 assigns certain workforce duties to Commerce leadership. Richardson said the move raises a statutory question and asked the administration to obtain an official legal response. Duchasse said Commerce leadership remains a close partner and that the change was intended to improve coordination, and she agreed the city solicitor should provide a formal explanation for the reorganization.

CCME enrollment and early placement activity were described in the hearing. DeFries said the initial fall cohort included about 74 enrollees; CCME reported about 76 people enrolled in the spring across four career-pathway programs (technology, business administration, healthcare, and skilled trades), with different program timelines and an expectation that roughly 20 students will complete this semester. DeFries said three participants had fully completed their programs as of the hearing and that CCME intends to provide bridge and remedial coursework through Community College of Philadelphia when needed for credit-bearing programs.

Council members asked for more information on program outcomes and placements. Duchasse and DeFries said CCME will work with council and departments to provide placement data and to align training investments to department hiring needs.

Duchasse also described technology and data investments requested in the FY26 CAO budget, including $300,000 for software to support workforce and service-delivery tracking and the continued use of platforms such as Qualtrics for employee engagement and Quick Base and Envisio for process digitization and project tracking.

Why it matters: The CAO’s proposal aims to align workforce training, hiring and internal administrative tools across the city’s departments. Council members sought clarity on legal authority for the organizational change and asked for additional data on CCME outcomes, vacant positions, and how $10 million the administration referenced for external workforce investments will be allocated.

Looking ahead: Council members requested follow-up materials, including (1) a legal opinion or city solicitors’ response about the transfer of workforce functions, (2) updated CCME enrollment and placement statistics, and (3) details on the CAO’s proposed internal control and optimization unit and the $300,000 software request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee of Whole: Budget Hearing 04-01-25 Morning","oneSentenceSummary","Council President Johnson convened the public hearing on the FY26 budget; CAO Camille Duchasse said proposed funding will expand workforce development, service-design and administrative controls across departments.","taxTitle","Philadelphia City, Philadelphia County , Pennsylvania","taxId",80615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617727,"Council told hundreds of employees used city backup childcare; corrected W‑2s issued after IRS treatment as taxable income",390,8039000,8429000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792&start=8039&end=8429","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792/thumbnail_8039000.jpg","/articles/6617727/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Council-told-hundreds-of-employees-used-city-backup-childcare-corrected-W2s-issued-after-IRS-treatment-as-taxable-income","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617727-a0185da3a5d46da4a5d9f66184118be4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163177&Signature=Dv-7LW0rm7O1QwEbWmNK-SUU9Na49hMLQgSbug7XQ~-GYpJG1oQmOedr4dvJCquwHl7uWhs0qw9OXHed2ljdVzZu0DNnDIZF8trmi0rkLDA4w3IQgaDHQkJc1PCufBRYgIPGJNcxFnRj1DShCrJ6x9SjDdKqopooXTZCteX-skI6PwO4gYSRYsb6huSKNNhyfB1HPo8khzUbCiI~o6~wRjYbWzT5WhXNIXQ8gfwUeYDMuYwMHNEtiMo~y9gevNNkzwHgdr~Ldo3EoD5a2LHMlzssZRj80CfT5Xxm3uauG0g7Ow8XcsJk6fUsHWGbHeOiIK58pECTyrAWHjsiOigyYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members sought details about the city’s new backup childcare program and the tax treatment of the subsidy provided to participating employees.

Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson and other council members said employees who used the backup care benefit received corrected W‑2s reflecting the subsidy as taxable income and expressed concern that participants were not informed of that tax consequence when they signed up.

Marcia Green Jones, deputy director of human resources for health and welfare, confirmed the administration recognized the IRS requirement to treat the city’s subsidy as taxable income, issued corrected W‑2s to affected employees no later than Feb. 19, and sent communications to enrolled employees explaining the tax treatment. Jones confirmed the program’s enrollment and usage totals reported at the hearing: 678 employees had signed up, cumulative days requested were 719, days used were 603, and the average number of backup days used per enrolled employee was about five.

Council members asked the administration to quantify the aggregate tax impact for employees who used the benefit in the previous tax year and requested that the city consider remedial steps for employees who used the benefit without knowledge of its tax treatment. Human resources staff agreed to work with the Finance Department and provide data on the total tax impact and options for assistance.

Why it matters: The city’s benefit was designed to help employees manage caregiving disruptions; the unanticipated tax treatment could increase employees’ tax liabilities and cause financial hardship for lower‑income workers.

Looking ahead: OHR will work with finance to quantify aggregate tax impacts, provide follow-up guidance to employees, and recommend any administrative or budgetary measures to mitigate unintended burdens for FY26.","Council members raised concerns that city-subsidized backup childcare benefits triggered taxable income for employees. OHR officials said corrected W‑2s were issued and provided enrollment and usage figures for the backup care program",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617732,"OIT outlines digital equity steps: Wi‑Fi finder, devices distribution and replatforming phila.gov",1025,5012000,6037000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792&start=5012&end=6037","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792/thumbnail_5012000.jpg","/articles/6617732/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/OIT-outlines-digital-equity-steps-WiFi-finder-devices-distribution-and-replatforming-philagov","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617732-78aad65c55b99f7dc47eed442e09f15d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163177&Signature=U38UYLI632XZvHZJTZrdNiT4KfcgBbct-tkgfeu699FDfR69TlUlgs-45iCas1a5BBeHtFPOSBFmlxQGLnE4habfa38Yw5rF~-u~iQvc92slcaW3NM8WUg8VNKP76rg0jKaOT716dfgDwqxiFX6iktGYbQ4btQFvzuV9K7OSbdnksh-4fnnKITW~Cm5w72N221Zz8m59CvKzQg0ASlnmIwqERjy43ed8DcXz5vcgAo8rdItLy985KDf2ifeQ~7t93yb~dWMgOCfk2Dt7VVWlm5Xz~wrT2aTOD6uxUR2960ZKhSoXG-MXO2h3i1L98d1-ZeMc3aCQD5wNeM6X4HyEHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Melissa Scott, Philadelphia’s chief information officer, testified that the city is investing in a replatformed phila.gov, in-house mobile development and programs to expand broadband access and digital skills training.

Scott said the administration is replatforming the city website to modernize the public interface and enable single sign‑on for residents, add mobile‑app capabilities in‑house, and reduce long-term maintenance spending to avoid recurring vendor maintenance costs. “Bringing in‑house mobile development...will be able to create mobile apps for different departments,” Scott said.

On digital equity, Scott said the city and its franchise agreement with Verizon are lighting free public Wi‑Fi at 83 locations; 50 locations were operational at the time of the hearing and the administration has launched a Wi‑Fi finder to show residents where free broadband is available. Scott also described plans to hire “digital navigators” to distribute devices, provide digital skills training at recreation centers and libraries, and pilot esports and job-training activities in community sites.

Council members asked for impact metrics and enrollment counts for PHL Connected (a separate program providing subsidized broadband to K–12 households). Scott said she would provide follow-up data; council members requested a progress report and more details about how the administration will measure outcomes and reach neighborhoods with remaining needs.

Why it matters: Residents’ access to broadband and digital skills affects job access, civic participation and service delivery. The administration’s plan aims to pair connectivity with training and device distribution to create durable benefits.

Looking ahead: OIT will provide council with more granular impact metrics for PHL Connected, device distribution plans and a roll‑out schedule for the remaining Wi‑Fi locations and the digital-navigator program.","Chief Information Officer Melissa Scott described efforts to replatform the city website, bring mobile development in-house and expand free public Wi‑Fi and digital skills training; council members asked for impact metrics and PHL Connected enrollment data",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617737,"Council presses procurement on drop in MWDSBE participation and steps to boost local vendor access",473,1355000,1828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792&start=1355&end=1828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792/thumbnail_1355000.jpg","/articles/6617737/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Council-presses-procurement-on-drop-in-MWDSBE-participation-and-steps-to-boost-local-vendor-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617737-b1c9bfdfb051933741255089b4639feb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163177&Signature=JMdMrdsVExK28ZwHWmrmOwaLBlPffWq2lkN-pbttP4l25PWyqD9jrdFmNBEKahDOd7mdf2PtCJWI--YOBG-TBb3tlH7A-ahURR6OnqUXoXIegu42WyDrH599L9FuZreRAAypXanBzXZFyCeRiTqaRergzQimbUOus7jDoYUoHWpnvLSG930E9yTsCQwKyr3BLjPBfM0A8X2cnw4MprAO1RErcbhHz35kyTQh5zLg5qSfWRCGuQRSzeRMLWt876pWlIE8g94gUKsuXATHFYdy-lOPr36vln4YsxqaLIRBbz--83rG6KW3yl4kDxKAju~iiUdYsawoOdtm72Sm-mrUeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members used the CAO’s FY26 hearing to question procurement officials on a sharp year‑over‑year drop in participation by minority-, women- and disabled-owned businesses and on procurement timelines and vendor communications.

A council member noted city data showing MWDSBE participation dropping from about 40% in FY24 to 27% in FY25 and asked what caused the decline. CAO witnesses acknowledged the trend and said the Office of Business Impact and Economic Growth will lead targeted efforts; the CAO identified recent staffing changes and process reviews meant to improve equity and reduce administrative burden for small firms.

Ronald Hovey, the city’s new procurement commissioner, said he was in his twelfth day on the job and emphasized data-driven approaches: “I’m very data driven. So I wanna make much more sort of data informed decisions.” Deputy procurement commissioner Lashonda Tompkins described tactical steps to raise small- and local-business participation, including using the city’s vendor registry, local business entity (LBE) preferences, micro‑purchasing pathways and increased outreach to help firms get certified and bid for city work.

Council members also raised vendor-notification problems heard earlier by the Economic Opportunity Review Committee: small vendors reported they do not always receive timely feedback on bids, which hampers future proposals. Procurement witnesses said standardized templates and deadlines for departmental procurement teams have been developed and rolled out for routine vendor communications.

Procurement and council members discussed timelines for public works solicitations and the cost effects of long procurement cycles. The procurement office said it is embedding strategic-sourcing practices into budget and planning conversations to build pre-positioned contracts and reduce downstream delays. Commissioner Hovey said longer solicitation periods tend to increase costs because bidders build perceived risk into prices.

Why it matters: Procurement spending affects local firms’ revenue and hiring. Council members emphasized that easing administrative burdens on MWDSBEs and increasing small-order opportunities can spur local economic benefits and job growth in Philadelphia.

Looking ahead: Procurement will provide data on current MWDSBE participation, contract start dates and renewal patterns and work with council to expand outreach, improve vendor notifications, and prioritize strategic sourcing and micro‑purchase pathways that favor local participation.","Council members flagged a decline in participation by minority-, women- and disabled-owned businesses and asked the new procurement commissioner about steps to increase local business opportunities, improve vendor notification and use strategic sourcing to reduce delays and cost risk",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617741,"Council hears CAO on SEPTA Key Advantage funding cut and eligibility limits to city employees",212,1802000,2014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792&start=1802&end=2014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839451-f3ef6a49671daa6eacb58802a497c792/thumbnail_1802000.jpg","/articles/6617741/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Council-hears-CAO-on-SEPTA-Key-Advantage-funding-cut-and-eligibility-limits-to-city-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617741-adbc2cde2b1f3a911b640c718d8baca8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163177&Signature=hG5ZEZ9NSxnWiO-dcjL6vm0Yzc41XMd2Y-O2v81YoRvkmLiyDOhDWH-rZD3Lpg~IwnZBapMG6Cbj3F8Z8jdChPUrdQUxUWvvfbmNJ2doSwnQuiEe73crmqYNENOmVkqH6-~0G0MXeGF2hKE0KOHIGu8deHHFVkGxxkx3qClN2f-xhxTPq4iMIuT7GIfgBlXhTFfVm7zNjoVwtnNzucW1aR4Gq4g0kP7YXaie7vX1ntRKUbc6YFO7Lr-LFPJS6-2BZk3MYXYypWVCiO66NHDegcQzSZiCGuLszFOqL4M1bgfA2qG8uF0yksspHwfMsy1bXTJQ-RjySUXN5WF02e1bbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members asked the CAO and program staff to explain a funding shift and eligibility changes for the SEPTA Key Advantage program, which the administration plans to move administratively from the CAO to the Office of Human Resources for FY26.

Council members noted the program’s line item dropped from roughly $9 million over two years to about $5 million in the FY26 request and sought whether the reduction changes who currently receives the benefit. CAO Camille Duchasse said, “That has not changed. Our commitment to that has not changed,” and confirmed the city intends to continue the employee benefit in FY26 while the administration evaluates funding year to year.

Councilmember Jones and others pressed whether quasi‑governmental contractors and nonprofit groups that provide city services — the public defenders’ office was raised as an example — would still be eligible. Sandy Ramos, project manager for SEPTA Key Advantage, said contractors are not currently included: “At the moment, it is limited specifically to city employees.” Ramos explained extending the benefit to contracted agencies would open a much larger population and carry substantial additional cost.

Multiple council members — including Bass and Jones — urged the administration to review which partner organizations the city considers essential and to explore extending the benefit to critical contracted partners. Councilmember O’Rourke asked whether the funding reduction would cause any currently eligible employees to lose access; the CAO replied the program will continue for all currently eligible employees in FY26.

Why it matters: SEPTA Key Advantage is a widely used city employee benefit that affects employee commuting costs, retention and the cost of delivering public services. Council members raised equity and workforce retention concerns about excluding quasi‑governmental contractors who provide front-line services.

Looking ahead: Council members asked the CAO and OHR to provide a list of agency types currently excluded from the program and to return with analysis of the cost and operational impacts of expanding eligibility to contracted partners.","Council questioned a reduction in FY26 funding for SEPTA Key Advantage, a program providing subsidized transit for city employees, and raised equity concerns about excluding contractors such as the Defender Association from the benefit","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CAO presents FY26 budget priorities, outlines City College for Municipal Employment and consolidation of workforce functions

Council told hundreds of employees used city backup childcare; corrected W‑2s issued after IRS treatment as taxable income

OIT outlines digital equity steps: Wi‑Fi finder, devices distribution and replatforming phila.gov

Council presses procurement on drop in MWDSBE participation and steps to boost local vendor access

Council hears CAO on SEPTA Key Advantage funding cut and eligibility limits to city employees