Commissioner on prior leadership's budget warnings and limited funding request rationale
Shahada notes that prior DOI leadership raised the same budget alarms for years without success, that the agency is stretched to its limit, and that her funding request is strictly for stabilization—not enhancement—given her hope that City Hall will address the gap in the adopted budget.
This limited funding request reflects my deep concern that further cuts, as contemplated in the executive budget, will impact DOI's core functions.
This concern is not new.
Under its prior leadership,
DOI rang the alarm bell on its budget needs for years without avail.
Citywide budget reductions have stretched this small agency, which is already running a lean operation, to its limit.
Bluntly, the fiscal year 2027 executive budget does not provide the funding that DOI needs to adequately and
and fully meet its mission.
Given recent positive and constructive discussions I've had with City Hall, I am hopeful this will be rectified in the adopted budget.