Commissioner on DOI's dire budget situation and headcount decline since FY2020
Shahada reports that the proposed FY27 budget of $53.7 million is insufficient, with headcount dropping from 588 in FY2020 to 444 in FY2027—a loss of 144 positions. She describes constructive discussions with the Mayor's Chief Counsel and OMB Director about DOI's budget crisis.
When I arrived in late April, it was immediately clear that my priority needed to be digging into the agency's dire budget situation.
Let's try another one.
My assessment is that the funding proposed for DOI in the fiscal year 2027 executive plan is not enough to sustain DOI's current operations.
The proposed $53.7 million budget is $2.1 million less than the fiscal year 2026 adopted budget.
And approximately $12.8 million less in baseline funding compared to fiscal year 2020, reflecting over $8.3 million in PS baseline reductions.
Due to years of successive budget cuts, virtually all investigative and operational units across the agency
remain severely understaffed.
DOI's budgeted headcount, including city tax levy and intra-city funded staff, as well as employees on loan from other agencies,
Has dropped from 588 staff in fiscal year 2020 to 444 in fiscal year 2027,
resulting in 144 fewer DOI positions available to fight corruption, waste, and inefficiency in New York City.
I have met with the Mayor's Chief Counsel and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to outline these stark realities, and I am grateful that they took the time to listen and understand how the budget deficiencies are impacting DOI.
It is not an overstatement to describe this current moment as pivotal for the agency.
I am pleased to report that these discussions have been very constructive and encouraging.
I am confident that City Hall shares our view on the vital importance of DOI's mandate and understands our current budget situation, including our need for additional funding to stabilize DOI
and ensure the agency can continue to fulfill its crucial oversight mandate.