City budget director backs $337 million FY26 midyear transfer and capital amendments at Committee of Appropriations

Sabrina Maynard, the city budget director, told the Committee of Appropriations on April 16 that three ordinances before the committee would authorize a $337 million FY2026 spring midyear operating transfer and changes to the FY2026 capital program.

"The proposed FY26 spring midyear transfer ordinance on the operating side is for $337 million, $233 million of which is in the general fund," Maynard said, identifying primary uses as a $91 million federal funding reserve, $82 million for labor costs tied to contracted awards and employee raises, and $55 million to the transportation fund to cover higher-than-anticipated snow response costs.

Maynard said the two capital-amendment ordinances contain primarily administrative changes for FY26, including a $15 million federal appropriation for the water department related to recently obtained PennVEST grants and about $1 million in PICA bond funds for Philadelphia Parks and Recreation for the Cobbs Creek project. "These amendments do not increase the amount of new general fund obligation borrowing and, as a result, do not affect our loan authorization ordinance and don't require the city to incur new debt service," she said.

Chair Escuela asked a follow-up about the status of the PennVEST grants; Maynard replied, "I believe we have them in hand," and suggested the committee follow up with the water department for more detailed status information.

No committee members asked further substantive questions during this session. The hearing recessed while the committee processes amendments; Chair Escuela announced the panel would return at 2:42:40 PM. No vote was taken during this portion of the hearing.

The committee will resume consideration of any amendments and may schedule further testimony or a vote at a later time.