WHEREAS, The City has increasingly relied on various quasi-public agencies to carry out powers and duties that otherwise would be performed by City agencies; and
WHEREAS, The increasing use of quasi-public agencies raises issues of accountability and transparency; and
WHEREAS, In response to those concerns, the voters in November 2003 approved an amendment to Section 6-400 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to expand the ability of the City Controller to audit quasi-public agencies. In particular, the Charter now requires City contracts with such agencies to include a provision granting the Controller the discretion to audit the affairs of the agency during the term of the contract. For purposes of that provision, agency is defined as any entity which: (1) receives funds from the City, and either (2) is created by, or whose board of directors is in whole or part appointed by, one or more City officials or bodies; or (3) that is organized pursuant to legal authority granted to it by City ordinance; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that the Controller exercise this newly-granted authority on a regular basis to carry out the intent of the voters; now, therefore,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,
THAT The Council calls upon the City Controller to audit annually the affairs of all quasi-public agencies that the City Controller has power to audit.
End