Budget season Q&A with Councilperson Cindy Bass

Since April, the People’s Budget Office (PBO) has reopened its standard yearly operations at its colorful repurposed shipping container in LOVE Park to engage Philly residents in questions and information about the annual budget.

The People’s Budget Office helps to educate residents about the budget, engage them in imagining what a people-centered and -powered budget would look like, and empower them to advocate on behalf of their expressed wants and needs.

“The budget is important because it affects all of our lives,” says PBO Director Phoebe Bachman. “Whether it’s the school your kids go to, the potholes you’re driving over, the rec center, the library, or the taxes you pay.”

We caught up with the PBO team mid-afternoon on Friday, May 30, to discuss all things budget. A representative of Councilmember Cindy Bass’ office was there and worked to quickly give Bass’ response to the questions from Germantown and the wider Eighth District.

Since the Councilperson herself was not in attendance, the questions we provided could not be answered by a staffer, Legislative Director Whitney Brown, for the sake of clarity on the Councilperson’s views.

However, Brown was gracious enough to forward the questions to Bass, who, during a busy budget season, took the time to work with her staff to answer our questions for Germantown and the wider Eighth District.

Those questions and answers are below:

Q1: What are Councilmember Bass’s top funding priorities for FY26, and how are those reflected in the proposed budget?

A: Councilmember Bass’ priorities for 2025 focus on 3 separate categories: housing and neighborhood stabilization; youth, recreation and public spaces; and economic and community development.

These priorities were developed after reviewing constituent responses to our budget survey as well as countless conversations throughout the budget season.

Several of our budget requests directly align with and advance Mayor Parker’s H.O.M.E. Initiative, with the goals of promoting community revitalization, resident stability, and equitable access to services.

Priority 1: Housing & Neighborhood Stabilization

1. Allegheny West CDC Expansion

Supports affordable homeownership (10 homes on N. Bonsall Street)
Invests in a 20,000 sq. ft. economic development facility at 20th & Clearfield
Funds community festivals and grassroots support in the 8th District
Supports the Allegheny West Food Bank (2208 W. Indiana Ave)

Alignment: Strongly supports H.O.M.E. goals of community investment and resident stability

2. Jane Street Retaining Wall Repair

Urgent repair to prevent collapse and unblock home repair approvals (Basic Systems Repair Program)
Without intervention, homes may become uninhabitable

Alignment: Enables homeowners to stay in their homes; critical to neighborhood preservation

3. Judson Street Repairs (2800 Block)

The block is currently unsafe and impassable due to [a road] collapse
Total project cost is beyond the scope of any one resident: $1,366,596.57

Alignment: Addresses urgent public safety and housing access needs under H.O.M.E.

4. Germantown Life Enrichment Center

Expands community programming similar to YMCA services
Also supports a men’s shelter located on site

Alignment: Direct support for vulnerable populations and housing access

5. United Bank Renaissance Fund

Provides soft-cost and planning funds for charter school expansion
Includes necessary repairs for Ada Lewis Elementary

Alignment: Education and community asset preservation under H.O.M.E.

6. West Powelton Development (Germantown Town Hall)

Pre-development and soft-cost funding for community-based redevelopment

Alignment: Promotes economic mobility and community reinvestment

7. The Collective Network

Supports the Minority Development Fund
Expands access to capital and development opportunities for underserved residents

Alignment: Encourages equitable ownership and neighborhood growth in line with H.O.M.E.

Priority 2: Youth, Recreation & Public Spaces

1. Happy Hollow Playground & Recreation Center

Provides long-overdue upgrades and facility repairs
Funding will initiate repair process; timeline ASAP

Alignment: Enhances safe recreational spaces for children and families

2. Marcus Foster Pool

Pool has been closed since 2008 due to extensive disrepair
Needed repairs include roofing, heating, locker rooms, and windows

Alignment: Supports youth development and public recreation equity

3. The Philadelphia Tennis Club

Renovates and cleans up courts; expands neighborhood tennis programs
Encourages youth sports and fitness access

Alignment: Advances quality of life and youth opportunities throughout the city

Priority 3: Economic & Community Development

1. ACCT (Animal Care & Control Team) Facility Expansion (111 W Hunting Park Ave)

Repairs and expands capacity for animal care services
Improves working conditions for staff and overall service quality

Alignment: Supports citywide public health and service infrastructure

2. The Business Center (7500 Germantown Ave)

Expands small business and entrepreneurial programming across the city

Alignment: Fosters economic opportunity and mobility for local residents

Q2: Is the Councilwoman advocating for targeted investments in historically underfunded parts of the 8th District, such as Germantown or Nicetown? If so, where specifically?

A: Yes, Councilwoman Cindy Bass is actively advocating for targeted investments in historically underfunded areas of the 8th District, including Germantown and Nicetown.

Germantown Initiatives:

Barrett Playground Renovation: Councilwoman Bass has highlighted the urgent need for budget adjustments due to skyrocketing project costs, notably the budget for Barrett Playground, which has nearly doubled from $9 million to almost $20 million. She emphasized the importance of local hiring in community projects, advocating for local institutions to lead development efforts.
Maplewood Mall Revitalization: Bass has called the $2.2 million investment in Maplewood Mall a “game changer” for Germantown. The project aims to transform the area into a destination for residents and visitors, with improved facades and security systems for existing businesses.

Nicetown Engagement:

District Office Establishment: Councilwoman Bass opened a district office in Nicetown to ensure better accessibility and service to residents. This office serves as a hub for community information and conversation, allowing constituents to voice concerns and gather resources.

Q3: What budget amendments or reallocations has Councilwoman Bass submitted or supported in this year’s negotiations?

A: Although budget negotiations are still ongoing, our funding priorities represent a comprehensive approach to advancing policies that will create a safer, more equitable, and thriving eighth district.

The budget process is a collaborative effort, and our office is dedicated to ensuring that the final budget reflects the needs and priorities of the community. Our negotiations will focus on:

Affordable Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization
Youth Recreation & Community Spaces
Economic Growth & Local Development
Critical Infrastructure Repairs

Councilwoman Bass emphasizes that the budget process is a collaborative effort rooted in trust and service. She is committed to ensuring that the urgent needs of our neighbors are not used as bargaining chips during this process.

Instead, her focus remains on advocating for real solutions that reflect the voices and priorities of the community, specifically strategies that stabilize housing and infrastructure and expand economic and recreational opportunities.

We encourage constituents to continue sharing their feedback and concerns as budget negotiations move forward.

Q4: How is the Councilwoman ensuring that FY26 budget investments in public safety go beyond policing, including mental health responders, violence interruption, and neighborhood infrastructure?

A: Public safety is about more than just policing — it’s about building strong, healthy communities.

In this year’s budget process, I’ve advocated for continued and expanded investments in community-based violence intervention programs, trauma-informed mental health responders, and environmental improvements that support safe neighborhoods. That includes lighting, street repair, and safe routes to schools and recreation centers.

We also need to invest in programs that address root causes — housing insecurity, unemployment, and lack of youth programming.

My goal is to build a comprehensive safety strategy, not just a reactive one.

Q5: Housing is another major concern for residents across Philadelphia, particularly in Germantown, where the average resident is spending 34-38% of their salary on rent, meaning they are cost-burdened. Any thoughts/plans on this?

A: Housing affordability is one of the most urgent challenges facing Germantown and neighborhoods like it.

I’m pushing for increased funding for the city’s Housing Trust Fund, expanded access to rental assistance, and more incentives for developers to create truly affordable units.

I’m also committed to protecting legacy homeowners from displacement and deed fraud. We need bold solutions — including zoning reform, stronger tenant protections, and city-owned land use for affordable housing — to ensure residents can afford to stay in their communities.

Q6: What have been the major concerns and areas of need that constituents have named in this process?

A: Our constituents have been clear: they want safer neighborhoods, affordable housing, quality schools, and reliable city services. Trash collection, illegal dumping, deteriorating streets, and slow city response times have been top concerns.

People are also calling for more youth programming, job opportunities, and mental health support. These aren’t abstract issues — they’re real, daily barriers to a better quality of life.

That’s why I’m fighting to make sure these concerns are heard loud and clear in the budget process.

Q7: How is constituent feedback, through office hours, town halls, or community meetings, being reflected in her budget priorities or advocacy this year?

A: Everything I push for in the City Council is grounded in what I hear from the community. Whether it’s through town halls, block meetings, or our regular office hours, the feedback we receive shapes our priorities.

For example, our advocacy for more funding for sanitation services and youth employment programs came directly from constituent concerns.

This budget season, I’ve made sure those voices are at the table — not just my own.

Q8: What are some things constituents should know that our Councilmember is up to?

A: There’s a lot happening. We’re advancing legislation around public safety, including protections for vulnerable residents. I’m working on projects that improve access to affordable housing and preserve neighborhood character.

We’re also collaborating with partners on economic development efforts, particularly along the Germantown Avenue corridor. And we’re holding city departments accountable — making sure services are equitable and responsive.

My team is in the community every day, working to make local government work for the people it serves.

Please note that the preliminary vote to approve the budget took place on Thursday, June 5, with the Council approving the mayor’s proposed $6.8 billion FY26 budget, incorporating some minor adjustments.

We received responses to our questions on Friday, June 6, in the afternoon from Teresa M. Lundy, working with Councilperson Bass’ office as their Communications consultant. Again, we acknowledge the Councilperson’s limited capacity in this busy time of the year.

The City Council is set to take a final vote this Thursday, June 12, marking their last council meeting before their summer recess, which begins in July and lasts through August.

The legal deadline for the vote is July 1.

The People’s Budget Office will also host its final remote office hours this week, marking the end of budget season. Neighbors are welcome to visit from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. They’ll also host their closing celebration on Thursday from 5-7 p.m.