Appropriations Committee approves amendments and forwards three capital and transfer bills for first reading

At a Thursday, April 20 hearing, the Philadelphia City Council Appropriations Committee approved amendments to three fiscal 2025 budget-related bills and voted to report each bill from committee with a favorable recommendation and to suspend council rules to permit first reading at the next council session.

City Budget Director Sabrina Maynard and Finance Director Rob Dubow testified to the committee in support of the measures. Rob Dubow told the panel, “I'm here to testify in support of bill number 250,206,” and Maynard said, “We're happy to take any questions.” The transcript records no additional substantive details of the amendments or numerical vote counts.

The three measures before the committee were: - Bill 250204, which would amend ordinance 240182 (the six-year capital program for fiscal years 2025–2030) by revising appropriation amounts and totals; - Bill 250205, which would amend ordinance 240181 (the fiscal 2025 capital budget) by revising various appropriation amounts and totals; and - Bill 250206, described as a spring midyear transfer ordinance authorizing transfers and appropriations for fiscal year 2025 among the general fund, water fund, grants revenue fund, aviation fund and the transportation fund for city offices, departments, boards and commissions.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson moved amendments to each bill; each amendment was seconded by Councilmember Thomas and approved by voice vote. Richardson then moved that each bill as amended be reported from the committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of council be suspended to permit first reading at the next council session; those motions were also seconded by Councilmember Thomas and approved by voice vote. The transcript records the motions verbatim (for example, Richardson moved, “I move that the amendment to bill number 250,204 be approved”) but does not include the text of the amendments themselves or any roll-call vote totals.

Committee members present were named at the start of the hearing; the transcript records brief thanks and acknowledgement of staff work during the budget process but no additional questions or substantive debate about the measures. The hearing then concluded and the committee proceeded to the full council session where the bills are expected to receive first reading as permitted by the suspended rules.

Votes at a glance - Amendment to Bill 250204: Moved by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, seconded by Councilmember Thomas; outcome — approved (voice vote; numerical tally not specified). - Bill 250204 as amended: Reported from committee with a favorable recommendation and rules suspended for first reading; outcome — approved (voice vote; numerical tally not specified). - Amendment to Bill 250205: Moved by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, seconded by Councilmember Thomas; outcome — approved (voice vote; numerical tally not specified). - Bill 250205 as amended: Reported from committee with a favorable recommendation and rules suspended for first reading; outcome — approved (voice vote; numerical tally not specified). - Amendment to Bill 250206: Moved by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, seconded by Councilmember Thomas; outcome — approved (voice vote; numerical tally not specified). - Bill 250206 as amended: Reported from committee with a favorable recommendation and rules suspended for first reading; outcome — approved (voice vote; numerical tally not specified).

The transcript does not include the substance of the amendments, numerical vote counts, or detailed floor debate; those items will need to be obtained from the committee clerk or the finalized amendment text when posted to the council docket.