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Oct 19, 2024

What does Houston’s City Controller do?

Karen Araiza, Digital Content Lead, Houston HOUSTON – With this week’s back and forth between Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Controller Chris Hollins, the question came up: What does a City

Karen Araiza, Digital Content Lead, Houston

HOUSTON – With this week’s back and forth between Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Controller Chris Hollins, the question came up: What does a City Controller do?

READ THE BACKGROUND STORIES HERE:

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Houston’s Controller is essentially the city’s Chief Financial Officer. Their umbrella responsibility is to make sure Houston’s assets are properly accounted for and spent the right way, meaning the city’s not breaking any laws or violating policies, plans or procedures.

Specifically, the controller performs the following functions, but the scope of the job can also stretch beyond this to-do list:

The City Controller does not have any voting power, but it is an independent and elected position. The Controller doesn’t report to the Mayor or the City Council.

On the Controller’s website, here’s the reasoning and importance behind the independence:

Being an independent officer permits the Controller to provide the Mayor, City Council and department management with independent analysis, appraisals, and recommendations concerning the adequacy and effectiveness of the City’s internal control structure, effective safeguarding and utilization of City resources and management’s performance in carrying out assigned responsibilities.

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