City Controller candidates to debate, April 27

Posted 4/21/17

Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz is seeking reelection. He is scheduled to participate in a debate at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy with his Democratic primary challenger Rebecca …

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City Controller candidates to debate, April 27

Posted

Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz is seeking reelection. He is scheduled to participate in a debate at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy with his Democratic primary challenger Rebecca Rhynhart and Republican Mike Tomlin.

The three candidates for city controller of Philadelphia will debate each other in Chestnut Hill on Thursday evening, April 27, in an event sponsored by the Chestnut Hill Local, the weekly newspaper owned by the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy has agreed to host the debate in its auditorium at 8000 Cherokee Avenue, to run from 7 to 8:30 p.m.  Off-street parking is available at the school.

The three candidates for controller are incumbent Alan Butkovitz, who is seeking his fourth consecutive four-year term; Rebecca Rhynhart, city budget director under former mayor Michael Nutter, and Mike Tomlinson, a business consultant who is running unopposed for the Republican nomination.  Butkovitz and Rhynhart are facing off against each other in the May 16th primary election, both seeking the Democratic Party nomination.

Holly Otterbein, senior writer for Philadelphia Magazine, will moderate the debate.  The editor of the Chestnut Hill Local, Pete Mazzaccaro, will join Otterbein asking questions of the candidates.

The city controller’s office has broad authority under the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to review and audit the financial records of all city agencies and other government agencies receiving city funds.  The charter calls for an annual audit of all city departments, boards and commissions, with special audits authorized at the discretion of the controller or the mayor.

Any agencies receiving city funds are supposed to sign contracts giving the controller the authority to review financial records pertaining to their work for the city.

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