"We made a commitment to people that [last year's property-tax hike] was going to be temporary," said Councilman Bill Greenlee. "We have to show people there is absolutely no other way before we renege."
Nutter needs nine votes to pass any legislation, but there remains no consensus for either of his proposals.
"In any event, no matter what happens, it is the Council that has to vote," Nutter said. "This is a crisis point for the city. This is a leadership moment."
The school district needs $629 million to close its funding gap. Superintendent Arlene Ackerman last week requested up to $110 million extra from the city to stave off cuts. The city is already set to provide $815 million in tax revenue and grant funding to the district for the pending fiscal year - about 30 percent of the district's $2.7 billion budget.
The sugar-sweetened beverage tax, combined with additional state funding, an agreement with SEPTA and an increase in on-street parking rates would help restore full-day kindergarten, transportation, alternative education and reduced class sizes.
Meanwhile, Councilman Darrell Clarke proposed an amendment to the budget that would raise property taxes by 3.5 percent, producing $44 million for the district to be distributed as a one-year grant.
"We're in the midst of some very challenging times as it relates to the school district and we're being asked by the school district to raise significant amounts of revenue," Clarke said. "There's still some uncertainty among some members in terms of what needs to be available, and some answers that we've received from school district personally I'm not comfortable with, but at the end of the day there will be a need for some revenue."
But the administration says that Clarke's proposal clashes with state law that would require the city to continue any funding increases annually.
