Christy Brady
Democrat
What is one life experience you have that voters should know about?
I grew up in Olney and now live with my husband and three children in the Fox Chase section of the city. I attended Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, now Jefferson University, where I majored in accounting. For nearly three decades, I dedicated my career to the Controller’s Office, working to ensure accountability and transparency in city government.
During my time in the Controller’s Office, I led audits that directly affected the lives of Philadelphia residents. One example is the performance audit I directed on the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Brownout and Firefighter Rotation Policies. The city implemented these policies to cut costs, but our audit proved there were no actual savings—just increased risks to public safety. As a result of our findings, these dangerous practices were eliminated immediately. After I performed the Brownout and Firefighter Rotation Policies performance audit, I got a taste for how the office can affect real change in the city and wanted to do more.
That experience reinforced my belief that real oversight and accountability can lead to meaningful change, and that’s exactly what I want to continue doing as City Controller.
What would be your top three policy priorities in office?
This year, I plan to continue my work as City Controller, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. My top three priorities are:
Examining the Rebuild Program - Rebuild aims to improve parks, recreation centers, and libraries across the city, but it’s vital to ensure that it delivers on its promises efficiently and transparently. I will conduct a thorough review to assess whether taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively and if projects are being completed in a timely and equitable manner.
Improving Efficiencies in the City’s Contracting Process - The city’s contracting process is often slow and inefficient, delaying critical city services. I will analyze how contracts are awarded and managed, identifying ways to streamline the process while ensuring fairness, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.
Evaluating the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) - Property valuations and the appeal process have been concerns for many homeowners. A performance audit of OPA will identify inefficiencies and ensure that assessments are accurate, fair, and timely, restoring confidence in the system and ensuring equitable treatment for all residents.
What strengths do you have that set you apart from other candidates?
My greatest strengths are my experience, commitment to accountability, and ability to deliver real results from day one. With over three decades of audit experience in the Controller’s Office, I know how to navigate city government, identify inefficiencies, and drive change. When I stepped into the role of City Controller, I didn’t need time to learn the job - I hit the ground running and continued the vital work of ensuring transparency and accountability.
Some accomplishments in my first year include:
Investigating the city’s Homestead Exemption Program and uncovering that the city loses $11.4 million annually due to individuals fraudulently claiming the exemption. In the special investigation of unsafe and imminently dangerous properties, we evaluated the Department of Licenses and Inspections' oversight, leading to recommendations to enhance public safety. I also collaborated with the City Commissioners to improve the poll worker payment process, streamlining it and reducing the payment timeline from over eight weeks to under two.
How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?
The role of the Controller's Office is to promote honest, effective, and fully accountable city government. I plan to continue working with city leaders by conducting independent audits and analyses, providing objective information to city officials and the public about the city's financial operations, and offering recommendations on ways to improve operations and the use of public resources.
