Montgomery County Controller Karen Sanchez (Image courtesy of Montgomery County)
A third article in our Managing Montco series introduces you to the financial watchdog of the county
We hope you are both enjoying and learning something from our exploration of Managing Montco. Each day, we aim to take a deeper dive into a role of a department within the county. We want to help you understand who that person is, what they do for the county, and what they can do to help you.
We are breaking down the roles of the nine departments known as “Row Officers.” And second on our list (only by an alphabetical sorting, of course) is the Controller.
What is a county controller?
The name may sound more menacing or powerful than the role, but it is a very important position, as it is the one that watches the money. No, our Montgomery County, Pa. current Controller Karen Sanchez doesn’t guard a pile of gold coins if you are envisioning a Scrooge McDuck scenario. Instead, she considers the position more of a “financial watchdog.”
As with many parts of the American governmental system, built-in checks and balances are designed to not only balance power but be sure that the public can trust and monitor the actions of those in office. The controller is charged with overseeing the county government’s finances and taxpayer dollars.
“It is a role that I, and the highly qualified financial professionals on my staff take very seriously,” said Sanchez on her county webpage.
With a budget of nearly half a billion dollars, that is one serious job. Montgomery County is the third most-populous (and also one of the wealthiest) counties in the Commonwealth. It includes a workforce of over 3,000 county employees “providing services to a vast and diverse geographical area,” she said.
“The Montgomery County government requires constant financial monitoring to ensure it runs efficiently and effectively,” said Sanchez. “My highly qualified staff and I welcome that challenge to ensure the taxpayers of this county receive the services they pay for.”
Where can I find county financials?
In addition to explaining her role to residents, Sanchez also uses the webpage to store and publicly display financial statements and reports.
“It is your money, and you’re entitled to know how it is being handled,” said Sanchez. “This office is committed to transparency and determined to make the sometimes-dense financial information more accessible and easy to understand for all county residents.”
Sanchez began her first four-year term in January 2016 in her first bid for a public office. She continues to serve the county in her role, residing in Abington Township with her husband and two young daughters.
While Sanchez has a staff of pros, not to mention herself, she also encourages the public to report any fraud or abuse. She utilizes an online webpage where anyone can file a confidential form online here. Additionally, you are welcome to call her offices at 610-278-3072.
The county controller’s office is physically located at One Montgomery Plaza, on its fifth floor. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Annual financial statements are available online here. County residents can review financial statements, employees’ retirement find statements, service cost allocation plans, indirect cost proposals, and indirect cost plans online, sorted by calendar year.
Additionally, “select” audit reports (2012) are there, as well as municipal tax collector audits from 2022 and 2023. A Grant Administration Manual is also stored on the site (linked in the name).
What are the duties of the Controller?
The county’s accounts payable is responsible for around 1,600 payment requests each week. The controller office handles that county “payroll” of sorts.
Since mid-2006, a massive conversion was juggled, converting vendors for the county from paper checks over to payment by direct deposit (ACH). Pay stubs are emailed now, and money is electronically transferred.
The electronic payments are not only safer, and more time efficient, but they reduce the cost to the county as it is a cheaper mode of payment over paper checks.
Known as an “Active Custodian of County Documents,” the controller is also responsible for handling documents such as deeds, contracts, bonds, and documents that have any relation to the county’s financial affairs. These items are secured and monitored by the controller.
What can the county controller provide for me?
In addition to being your “watchdog,” ensuring your tax dollars are used as intended, the controller also maintains W-9 forms and Vendor Authorization Forms (which allow vendors to be paid).
The controller also maintains a Fraud and Abuse Tip Line, in order to explore any resident concerns. According to the webpage, the types of actions that Sanchez suggests are submitted include:
All reported fraud or abuse issues must be related to county activity, government business, or its resources and activities. Any issues with private businesses must be should be submitted to law enforcement.
