Proposed City Council resolution: Controller’s office should audit the City’s IT systems

This Thursday, City Council will vote on a resolution calling for an audit of the City’s tech infrastructure.

The non-binding proposal, introduced by Councilman David Oh, cites concerns over bookkeeping errors and the $19-milllion budget increase from the Office of Innovation and Technology, and calls on City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart to perform a “forensic audit” of the city’s infrastructure. Should the resolution pass, Rhynhart will be tasked with delivering a detailed report with the audit’s findings.

“In today’s world, technological infrastructure is every bit as important as other components of the City’s infrastructure. Technology enables the City to provide security for its residents, ensure that services are provided in an efficient manner, and make better use of taxpayer dollars,” said Councilman Oh in a press release. “If the Controller’s audit finds that the City’s technology assets are faulty or failing, addressing that should be a top concern.”

(A new payroll system deployed by the City led to $44 million in costs, the Inquirer reported last month.)

The one-page document said OIT “appears to not be successfully delivering results to further its mission” of managing the City’s tech assets “efficiently and effectively.”

Last month, former Chief Geographic Officer Mark Wheeler was appointed as permanent head of OIT. Wheeler stepped into the role as an interim chief in January as successor to Charlie Brennan, whose two-year run at the City office was marred by a clash in culture and ended with a racially-charged wrongful termination lawsuit.

Should an audit of the city’s tech go forward, Rhynhart’s office can expect full cooperation from the City, said spokesperson Mike Dunn in an email.

“We would of course fully cooperate, as we have — and continue to do — for all of the inquiries and formal audits by that office,” Dunn said.

Jolene Nieves Byzon, spokeswoman for the Controller’s office, said they have reviewed the resolution and plan to meet with its sponsors ahead of the vote to get a better understanding of the request.