Philly Budget Chief Leaving

Philadelphia is looking for a new budget director as Stephen Agostini will leave the post later this month to serve as chief financial officer for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Officials have already begun a search for Agostini’s replacement, said Aviva Kievsky, spokeswoman for Mayor Michael Nutter. Agostini’s last day as budget director is Aug. 27.

During the past two-and-a-half years, Agostini has helped craft five-year financial plans as well as annual operating budgets that include spending cuts and tax hikes to help fill budget deficits. He has helped close nearly $2.5 billion of budget shortfalls during his tenure.

“Steve saw us through the worst recession since the Great Depression with skill and focus,” Nutter said in a statement. “I always appreciated his insight, flexibility and commitment to fiscal integrity.”

Philadelphia’s budget for fiscal 2011, which began July 1, is $3.78 billion, up $61 million from the year before. The Philadelphia Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority last week approved the fiscal 2011 budget and the five-year financial plan. PICA oversees the city’s budget process.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM BOND BUYER