Philadelphia Office of the Controller

We’re seeking public input for our independent investigation into the City’s response to civil unrest. If you’re interested in sharing your story and experiences as part of our review, fill out the form on our website and our investigators will be in touch. https://bit.ly/3kySSIA.

A record number of Philadelphians have already returned mail-in ballots, but there are many people who will be voting in person this #ElectionDay. For anyone casting their vote in person today, remember to follow #COVID19 guidelines to keep yourself and others safe. Polls are open until 8pm. And if you see questionable behavior at the polls, like possible electioneering, intimidation or voter fraud, be sure to report it. Additional information on voting in Philadelphia can be found here: https://www.philadelphiavotes.com. #Election2020

Transparency in government means you (the public) understand how your tax dollars are being spent. At the Controller’s Office, our finance, policy and data team is dedicated to making government data more accessible. If there’s data you think should be made public, let us know and suggest a data release to our office. https://bit.ly/2U3xlff

Happy Halloween from the Controller’s Office! If you are celebrating, be sure to wear a mask and follow other public health guidelines to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.

The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has had an immediate effect on the City of Philadelphia’s cash balances, bringing years of strong economic growth to an end. The City’s cash balances remained relatively high at the end of FY20, but still saw the largest single-year decrease in cash levels since the last major recession in FY08. Check out our latest cash report to see the impact #COVID19 has already had on the City’s cash balances. https://bit.ly/37t8qdH

Your government should work for YOU, the taxpayer. If you know of fraud, waste, abuse or corruption happening in City government, let us know: https://bit.ly/2MADSgp.

Controller Rhynhart was named the third most influential Philadelphian in the November issue of Philadelphia Magazine. Check out the full list to learn more about the Philadelphians working to make our city better: https://bit.ly/2HEbIQd.

This is an election year unlike any other and it’s important we all make a plan to vote. Today is the last day to request a mail-in ballot. If you’re in line at one of the City’s satellite election offices by 5pm, you can still apply for and receive a ballot today. If voting in person, make sure you know where your polling place is. And if you have any other voting-related questions, visit one of the City’s satellite offices.... More on voting in Philadelphia here: https://www.philadelphiavotes.com. #Election2020

Make your voice heard and share your story with us as part of our independent investigation into the City’s response to civil unrest in May and June. Fill out this form if you’re interested in being a part of the review, and out investigators will be in touch: https://bit.ly/3kySSIA.

We created a quick guide on the auditing process so you can learn more about how the Controller’s Office operates! If you want to know what types of audits we perform or how long an audit takes, check out the quick guide explaining the audit process here: https://bit.ly/2lzV21q.

Strong economic growth in recent years resulted in historically high cash balances for the City of Philadelphia over the last few years. While the City still ended FY20 with relatively high cash balances, due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the City experienced its largest single-year decrease in its cash balances since the last major recession in FY08. Though the City’s cash levels were boosted slightly by grants related to COVID-19 relief, that funding will be spent by... the end of FY21 on costs related to the City’s response to the public health crisis. Meanwhile, low tax revenues and shifts in the deadlines for filing some of the City’s major taxes had a significant and immediate impact on overall cash balances. The largest economic impacts are expected in the next fiscal year, making the City’s cash reserves even more important in weathering this unprecedented fiscal and public health crisis. Learn about COVID-19’s impact on the City’s cash balances and more with our latest cash report for FY20 Q4: https://bit.ly/37t8qdH.

Watch Controller Rhynhart testify before PHLCouncil on this summer’s civil unrest and our investigation into the City’s response: https://bit.ly/2Tb52vI. And if you have an experience you’d like to share as part of the investigation, let us know by filling out this form: https://bit.ly/3kySSIA.

If you think something odd is happening within City government, speak up! Give us a call or visit our website to report possible fraud, waste, abuse or corruption to the Controller’s Office’s investigators: https://bit.ly/2MADSgp.