PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Logan Clark, Assistant Director of Budget Review at Independent Budget Office (IBO)
3:31:50
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155 sec
Logan Clark from the Independent Budget Office (IBO) provided analysis on Intro 532-2024, which concerns the reimbursement of non-public schools for security guard services. The proposed legislation would expand eligibility to smaller schools, potentially doubling the program's cost.
- IBO estimates the additional cost could be $19.8 million, bringing the total possible program cost to $39.6 million, above the current cap.
- The current program allows non-public schools with over 300 students to apply for reimbursement, with a multi-tiered system based on student numbers.
- As of the 2023-2024 school year, 277 schools are eligible, but the program has never reached its current $19.8 million annual cap.
Logan Clark
3:31:50
Good afternoon.
3:31:50
All distinguished chairs and members of counsel.
3:31:53
My name is Logan Clark.
3:31:54
I am the assistant director of Budget Review at the Independent Budget Office or IBO.
3:32:00
My portfolio at IBO covers analysis of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services in addition to other citywide operations costs.
3:32:09
And thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
3:32:12
I'm here today to provide analysis on intro 532 2024, which concerns the reimbursement of non public schools for the cost of security guard services paid for through Decast's budget.
3:32:23
The intro would expand eligibility of the program to smaller schools, which IBO estimates would double the potential cost of the program.
3:32:31
IBO estimates that the total potential cost of this legislation could be an additional 19,800,000 if eligible non pub if all eligible non public schools opted in bringing the total possible program cost up to 39.6, which is above the cap as it currently stands.
3:32:49
However, even with the current program, spending remains below capped levels.
3:32:54
So under local law 9 under local law 2 of 2020 or sorry, 2016, the city allows for non public schools with more than 300 students to apply for reimbursement for the cost of security guards.
3:33:05
It is a multi tiered program allowing for schools with greater numbers of students to apply for more security guards.
3:33:13
Schools are required to hire security guards according to the prevailing wage schedules set by the city comptroller and Decast maintains a prequalified vendor list.
3:33:22
Assuming a 180 days of school as required by state law, the cost of a security guard for a full school year would be at a minimum $36,114 depending on the guards years of experience.
3:33:35
The program is currently capped at 19,800,000 annually.
3:33:39
However, as the table below shows, the city has not ever actually reached that limit.
3:33:45
As of the 2023 to 2024 school year, using data from the New York State Education Department, the total number of eligible schools is 277, and under the tiered system that equates to a possible reimbursement of approximately 460 security guards.
3:34:02
Just to wrap up really quickly, The number of schools that would be eligible using the 2023 to 2024 data that are under 300 would be about 548, and so that's another 548 guards.
3:34:18
About 19,800,000, and we are more than happy to talk about some cross tabs on that if you would like.