It’s been a year since Christy Brady took the oath of office as city controller during a ceremony at the election commissioners office/warehouse at 11311 Roosevelt Blvd.
“It’s been a fun journey, for sure. It’s been very rewarding,” she said during a recent interview at her office at the Municipal Services Building.
Brady, of Fox Chase, was named acting city controller by then-Mayor Jim Kenney in November 2022, following Controller Rebecca Rhynhart’s resignation to run for mayor.
Brady, a CPA, had worked in the office for almost 30 years, and was deputy city controller when she was elevated to the top spot.
However, to run in the 2023 election to serve the final two years of Rhynhart’s term, she had to resign. She wound up winning the Democratic primary and general election and was sworn into office once the results were certified.
Due to her experience in the office, she believes she hit the ground running. As 2025 approaches, she’ll be back on the ballot seeking a full four-year term. So far, no Democratic or Republican challengers have surfaced.
As an outreach to city residents, she publishes an online Municipal Money Matters, a monthly newsletter. Residents can sign up at controller.phila.gov
“I’m very proud of that newsletter,” she said.
The city controller’s office, independent of the mayor and City Council, is best known for auditing the operations of city government and the School District of Philadelphia. Other duties include evaluating the city’s five-year plan and serving on the Philadelphia Gas Commission and the Board of Pensions and Retirement.
Brady, who is married with two sons and a daughter, said she was not trained to perform “gotcha” audits.
“It’s not productive,” she said.
Still, she wants her office’s actions to lead to a better city government for residents.
She’s worked with the election commissioners and the city offices of Finance, Treasurer and Innovation and Technology to pay poll workers in a more timely manner. Now, poll workers are generally paid two weeks after elections rather than two months, giving them some spending money for the holidays.
“I’ve actually gotten some thank-you notes from people,” she said.
Brady has also checked to make sure Philadelphia will spend money from the nationwide opioid settlement, as required, by Dec. 30. Pennsylvania is receiving more than $1 billion, with Philadelphia slated to get $200 million.
“The city has responded to make sure the money is spent by the end of the year,” she said.
Brady is also trying to help restaurants that would like to offer outdoor dining navigate the barriers to obtaining a license. One barrier is the cost. A yearly license is $1,750, compared to $150 in Pittsburgh. Size and location are also issues for restaurants. The controller’s office is happy that the Department of Licenses and Inspections is being receptive.
“They’re taking our recommendations and making changes,” Brady said.
Under Brady, the controller’s office has issued reports on imminently dangerous properties and the bidding process for the sometimes illegal awarding of contracts using a nonprofit exemption.
The office is also working with partners such as the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union and math teacher Charlie Flowe to present financial literacy education at Boys & Girls Clubs. The classes include topics such as savings, investing, scams and entrepreneurship.
“We want youths to learn the tools to be financially independent,” Brady said.
The office goes into the community to make presentations on senior fraud. One of those presentations led to a Roxborough woman recovering $10,000.
“That was really, really rewarding,” Brady said.
The controller’s office will next take a look at Rebuild, which uses beverage tax money to improve parks, recreation centers and libraries. Specifically, the office has heard complaints that rec centers in Lawncrest and Kingsessing have closed for renovations, only for groundbreaking to be delayed.
Brady said she’s enjoyed her time as controller and is hoping for a productive 2025 and beyond.
“It’s been an exciting first year,” she said, “and we’re just getting started.” ••
