The money, largely proceeds from sales of tax-delinquent properties, was identified during an audit described in court last month. A deputy undersheriff testified that the funds had since been transferred to the city and that the office was reviewing earlier years for additional money that may be owed.

The disclosure renewed calls from government-reform advocates to abolish the sheriff’s office and transfer its duties to other city agencies. But among Council members who addressed the idea, four said they oppose abolishing the office and one expressed skepticism. Four others said they were open to discussing the possibility, while two did not rule it out but said they wanted more information. Six members declined to comment or did not respond.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who determines which proposals advance through Council, rejected the idea of elimination, saying the sheriff’s office is an independent body. He said it may need reforms to improve efficiency and transparency, and that his team would investigate why the money was not distributed to the city. Johnson did not commit to a public hearing.

Abolition would require Council to approve an amendment to Philadelphia’s Home Rule Charter and send it to voters. The city’s sheriff’s office handles warrants, prisoner transport, courthouse security and auctions of foreclosed or tax-delinquent properties. Critics say most of those functions could be reassigned to police or court administrators.

State Rep. Jared Solomon, a Democrat who represents parts of Northeast Philadelphia, called for the office to be replaced by a professional administrator working with the mayor and Council. He said the discovery should prompt action, especially as residents struggle with the cost of prescriptions, food and utilities.

The watchdog group Committee of Seventy has also backed abolition. Its president, Lauren Cristella, said the office has needed reform for decades and that recurring problems have included mismanagement, self-dealing and mishandled funds.

The latest discovery comes amid years of scrutiny of the office. In 2022, the city controller said millions in fee revenue meant for city coffers had instead been placed in an off-budget account used for expenses including advertising and entertainment. Delays in auctions also held up an estimated $35 million in tax revenue between 2021 and 2024, according to prior reporting. Council approved a $146,000 increase to the sheriff’s budget this year, bringing it to $35.8 million, after Sheriff Rochelle Bilal sought a larger increase.

Councilmember Jim Harrity said the missing money was supposed to go to the city and that the office needed to improve its operations. Jamie Gauthier said Council should first establish how the funds went undistributed before considering further requests for millions in office funding. Kendra Brooks said the revenue problems appeared systemic but was not convinced abolition was the right step without a clear plan for carrying out the office’s duties.

The office dates to a period before Philadelphia’s city and county governments were consolidated in 1854. Reform efforts have repeatedly faltered: former Councilmember William J. Green IV said a 2010 proposal he introduced to eliminate the office went nowhere amid political opposition. In 2025, a state-appointed financial oversight board urged the city to abolish both the sheriff’s office and the register of wills.

A lawsuit over delays in issuing deeds after sheriff’s sales prompted the recent court hearings. Bilal had agreed to independent oversight of the office’s real estate division, then later sought to block outside supervision. Mayor Cherelle Parker said she had not been briefed on the $20 million when the discovery emerged; a spokesperson later said the administration was looking into the matter.