Overview of the Collection
Historical NoteThe Comptroller was responsible for supervising the City's financial affairs, including administration of the accounting system, payroll system, investments, and borrowing. The position of Comptroller was established by Charter in 1890 and was appointed by the Mayor. The 1896 City Charter designated the Comptroller the ex-officio City Clerk and made the position elective. A 1992 City Charter amendment abolished the positions of City Comptroller and City Treasurer, merging the two offices to create the Department of Finance. After 1978, annual reports on the financial condition of the City were known as Comprehensive Annual Financial reports. This change reflected the implementation of a computer program, the Central Financial Management System. The position of City Clerk was made a separate position within the Legislative Department as of 1993. The Comptrollers who have served the City include: Chauncey W. Ferris (1890-1892), J.M. Carson (1892-1894), Will H. Parry (1894-1900), Frank H. Paul (1900-1902), John Riplinger (1902-1906), Harry W. Carroll (1906-1910 and 1912-1938), William Bothwell (1910-1912), W.C. Thomas (1938-1958), Carl G. Erlandson (1958-1976), Edward L. Kidd (1976-1979), Tim Hill (1980-1985), and Norward J. Brooks (1986-1993). Content DescriptionAnnual reports for the Comptroller date from 1890 to 1992; after 1978, annual reports on the financial condition of the City were known as Comprehensive Annual Reports. This change reflected, in part, the implementation of a computer program, the Central Financial Management System. Researchers should note that there is a separate record group for the Department of Finance. The earliest reports contain disbursements and receipts by fund and department. Beginning in 1895, some reports include more narrative. The 1896 report of the License Department is included, as it was part of the Comptroller's Office. Reports in the early 1900s include lists of City property and real estate. Published and unpublished reports appear for some years; in these cases the published report has the more complete financial statement. In 1932, annual reports for the Weights and Measures Division begin to be a part of the Comptroller's report because the Department of Public Utilities was discontinued and the Weights and Measures Division, which had been a part of that Department, was transferred to the Comptroller's. Reports in the late 1950s through the 1970s include organization charts for City governmen. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Records are open to the public. Preferred Citation :[Item and date], Office of the Comptroller Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, Record Series 1802-J7. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives. Administrative InformationDetailed Description of the CollectionThe following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
SubjectsThis collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
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