QUESTION
How are Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG) savings calculated, and is there a misalignment in salaries for certain positions?
3:43:21
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113 sec
Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG) savings are calculated from spending reductions and lower than budgeted headcounts, but concerns arise over salary competitiveness for positions like investigators and research assistants.
- Lawsuits and monitors for the Department of Corrections (DOC) cost NYC approximately $51 million in fiscal year 2023.
- The city requested $3 million for the Board of Corrections to add 27 new positions, but only $400,000 was approved, removing two positions.
- Budget Director indicates PEG savings result from spending reductions and vacancies.
- Council Member Nurse highlights a salary misalignment for certain positions, making them less attractive compared to the private sector.
Sandy Nurse
3:43:21
And related to the board of corrections peg, I know council member Brewer asked about this, but just to build on what she asked.
3:43:29
In fiscal year 2023, lawsuits and monitors for the DOC cost the city of New York approximately 51,000,000.
3:43:39
The city preliminary budget in FY 24 included a request for 3,000,000 for the board of corrections to bolster their monitoring staff for 27 new positions.
3:43:51
The council negotiated 400,000 to be included in the adopted fiscal 24 budget to give some more money to BOC to investigate different issues that came up.
3:44:04
But these two positions were removed as part of the pegs.
3:44:08
So how are PEGS savings calculated when reductions and restrictions end up costing the city more in the end?
Jacques Jiha
3:44:15
These payers were basically what we call on the spending savings and and as a result of lower than budgeted headcount.
3:44:29
And we also took some savings on from vacancies.
3:44:37
Again, it comes way back to the scale of the challenge that we face.
3:44:43
And at the time, we ask every agency.
Sandy Nurse
3:44:46
Yeah.
3:44:47
No.
3:44:47
I understand.
3:44:48
My understanding is that some of these positions you know, these are investigators, these are research assistants, and the the the salaries being offered aren't really matching the talent and skill sets, what they would be paid outside in other in the in the private sector, which is why it's, quote unquote, maybe not being fully utilized.
3:45:11
So hopefully, that can be looked at and considered.