Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)

Department

Public Policy and Administration

Committee Chairperson

Dr. Kristin Crossney

Committee Member

Dr. Francis Atuahene

Committee Member

Dr. Allison Turner

Abstract

Abstract

In order to serve its constituents, the City of Philadelphia has established numerous public service departments and respective public goods in terms of departments facilities and other structures to provide public service. The key departments include the Police Department, Fire Department, Health Department, Libraries, and Parks and Recreation. Additionally, there are departments established to build, renovate, maintain, the public goods provided by the City of Philadelphia in order to achieve successful stewardship of the facilities. In order to carry out facilities stewardship of its public goods, the City has a long-term capital program and budget that utilizes borrowed capital funding to reinvest in its facilities. My research completes an analysis of the long-term Capital Budget and Program funding strategy with policies and actual funding for the last 15 or more years, and compares it with best stewardship practices. It is a Case Study that evaluated the City’s Capital Program across 15 years as well as relevant policies and reviews by fiduciary agencies that are part of the process. The key research question is whether the City is following best practices in terms of completing stewardship of its established goods in the most effective and efficient manner. The results indicate that Philadelphia is already not reinvesting what is recommended by its Office of City Planning and continues to not be able to address a growing amount of deferred maintenance in its departments, simply based on borrowing capacity. Furthermore, the analysis identified areas that, were adjustments made to its policy and strategy, it would at least improve the amount of capital funding available for the departments facilities, increase overall stewardship of the public goods, as well as enhance understanding of the actual funding needs.

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