City Budget

Recreation Department facing hiring difficulties despite funding boost

The Recreation Department commissioner testified before City Council and requested a $10 million budget increase.  Council was none too pleased.

By Alex Schmidt

Listen Now [1 minute 5 sec]

WHYY News, April 2, 2008

Although the Recreation Department has gotten budget increases consistently for the past several years, they currently have 57 job vacancies in the department.  Thirty-seven of those are in the custodial and maintenance arena.

City Council President Anna Verna emphasized the importance of filling those vacancies.

"With the summer coming on, to have all of these existing vacancies absolutely makes no sense whatsoever," said Verna. "With the crime rate going on... we need children to be here [in rec centers] and I want them to be clean and safe."

"I don't think we ask for that much but this much we're asking for and I think it's extremely important to the entire city.  I want this to stop today."

Recreation Department Commissioner William Carapucci and Philadelphia's Budget Director Stephen Agostini gave differing rationale for why there were so many vacancies.

They included cost savings from not hiring the needed staff and recent turnover in the department.  Before City Council approves the requested budget increase for the department, Verna said they would need an explanation.

Agostini told Council that he would report with a more cohesive rationale for the vacancies and a plan to fill them, early next week.

Related Links:

City Council demands faster hiring for Recreation Dept. positions (3/1/08) KYW 1060 AM