Creating the Philadelphia Commission on Revenue Enhancement.

WHEREAS, As described in the Mayor’s FY2005 Five-Year Financial Plan, the City faces a large projected deficit at the end of FY2009; and

WHEREAS, The City currently relies heavily on taxes as the most significant source of its revenue; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission has recommended a number of tax reforms that, while promoted as means to raise revenue in the long-run, would, if adopted, lead to an initial decrease in City revenues; and

WHEREAS, To make up projected shortfalls, it is incumbent upon the City to investigate alternative means of generating income; NOW THEREFORE,

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1.

Creation of the Philadelphia Commission on Revenue Enhancement. The Philadelphia Commission on Revenue Enhancement is hereby created as a departmental commission in the Revenue Department (also known as the Department of Collections).

Section 2.

Composition of The Commission. The Commission shall be composed of fifteen (15) members appointed by the Mayor.

Section 3.

Function of The Commission. The function of the Commission shall be to conduct a comprehensive analysis of all potential and additional methods of generating revenue for the City of Philadelphia other than through the collection of taxes and to recommend specific programs, practices and policies to make use of such methods of revenue generation.

Section 4.

Meetings of The Commission. The Commission shall be convened within 45 days of its creation and shall meet at such times as the majority of its members deem necessary and appropriate.

Section 5.

Report of The Commission. Within five months of its first meeting, the Commission shall prepare and distribute to the Mayor, all members of Council, and any interested member of the public, a report of its findings.

Section 6.

Reconvening The Commission. After distribution of its report, the Commission shall be reconvened at the pleasure of the Mayor.

End