Calling upon the City Controller to audit annually the affairs of certain "quasi-public" agencies.

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