FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2023
PHILADELPHIA – City Controller Christy Brady today announced her priorities for the office, unveiling her plan to improve government efficiency, support youth development and make Philadelphia safer.
“I am proud and honored to stand here today as leader of the office where I have spent almost three decades,” Brady said in her first public comments since she was sworn in as Controller. “I’ve dedicated my career to protecting the citizens of Philadelphia from fraud, waste and abuse and to improving the effectiveness of government operations. As Controller, I will build on that record by working with Mayor-elect Parker and all branches of city government to keep Philadelphia moving forward.”
Judge James Crumlish III recently swore Brady into office after the Office of the City Commissioners certified the November 2023 General Election. Brady was able to assume the official role per the City’s Home Rule Charter, as the position was part of a special election to fill the remaining term of the former city controller.
“I am hitting the ground running and have already directed the team to start work on a number of initiatives that are important for making our city safer and improving the lives of every Philadelphian,” Brady said. “It is the job of my office to ensure that our tax dollars are supporting the services and programs that will make our city the best it can be.”
Brady’s priorities include:
- Conducting a review of the Community Expansion Grant (CEG) program by ensuring that all dollars are properly accounted for. The Controller’s office wants to set these antiviolence programs up for success by helping them meet their goals and lending support to help them fulfill their missions.
- Preventing hazardous building collapses by reviewing the Department of Licenses & Inspection’s enforcement of its policy on unlicensed and undocumented workers.
- Creating a robust financial literacy curriculum in city schools by bringing together community partners and businesses to provide financial education from elementary through high school. The Controller’s Office can play an important role in helping youth gain educational resources to help them succeed.
“Throughout my career, I’ve learned what works best, where the city can improve, and where this office can do the most good for the entire city,” Brady said. “I thank the people of Philadelphia for their support. I will never stop working to promote transparency in government and to ensure an effective and fully accountable city government.”
For almost 30 years, Brady worked her way through the ranks of the Controller’s Office, starting as an entry level auditor to becoming the first female to oversee the largest division in the office as the Deputy Controller of Audit. Mayor Jim Kenney appointed Brady to the position of Acting City Controller in November 2022.
Along with overseeing all financial audits for the City of Philadelphia and School District of Philadelphia, she has directed several performance audits and investigations that resulted in impactful changes in government operations. Many reports were recognized nationally by the Association of Local Government Auditors and have been considered best practices for other cities to follow. She recently established a team to analyze the city’s Anti-Violence Community Expansion Grant Program which is a major piece of the $208 million that was committed to investments in violence prevention programming and services.
###