NYC Council’s Preliminary Budget Response

Last Monday, the New York City Council released its response to the Mayor’s FY25 Preliminary Budget. The response identifies $6.15B in newly available funds, citing higher-than-expected tax revenue from both the current and upcoming fiscal years, underspending on personnel costs, and reserves. The Council are calling for a restoration of cuts from the Mayor’s Financial Plan and Preliminary Budget, strengthening reserves, and helping to soften the impact of expiring federal funds. The plan includes restoring and baselining funding for culture and parks, investing in affordable housing, prioritizing continued funding for education, and restoring and enhancing recidivism reduction programs. Budget negotiations will continue between the Mayor and the Council. Mayor Adams will release his Executive Budget later this month, followed by additional Council budget hearings in May. The budget must be adopted by June 30 per NYC charter. The Council’s press release on their Preliminary Budget response is available here and the full response is available here.

NYC Council Reaches Deal with Staff Union

The staff union representing over 370 City Council staffers have come to a near-agreement with the NYC Council. The union is New York State’s first legislative staff union. The deal would raise minimum salary for Councilmember aides from $30,000 per year to $55,000 per year, include guaranteed annual increases for union positions, establish “just cause” disciplinary standards, and provide additional leave for overtime. Speaker Adams signed the contract’s terms last Tuesday, and union members will hold a ratification vote later this month.

NYC Nonprofit Advisory Council

Mayor Adams announced the launch of NYC’s first Nonprofit Advisory Council, comprised of nonprofit leaders and experts. The Advisory Council will work with the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services to improve the City’s partnership with nonprofits and provide New Yorkers with essential services. The Advisory Council will be co-chaired by Diane Mamet, the Interim Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services, Dr. Darlene Williams, the President and CEO of Union Settlement, and Frederick Shack, CEO of Urban Pathways.