Q&A
Staffing and budget considerations for water access programs
0:54:31
·
69 sec
Council Member Powers inquires about staffing changes and budget considerations that have led to scaling back Water on the Go stations. Commissioner Aggarwala explains the financial constraints and priorities of DEP.
- DEP is conscious of managing its expense budget
- Water on the Go stations were primarily used as a marketing and educational tool
- DEP must balance various priorities, including flood preparation education
Keith Powers
0:54:31
permanent one.
0:54:32
Is is are you staffing that with overtime because you are under your headcount relative to where you used to be when you would staff those with normal staff or what has changed in terms of your staffing that requires you to scale back?
Rohit T Aggarwala
0:54:45
Well, I mean, a, we are certainly conscious of managing our expense budget.
0:54:51
That's something I'm sure everybody, you know, is is concerned about.
0:54:56
And, you know, those were they were basically a marketing device.
0:55:01
Right?
0:55:01
It built awareness, provided an amenity, but it's really only justifiable as a marketing effort and educational effort because it is not really consistent with DEP's mandate.
0:55:16
We have other things that we also do.
0:55:18
As I mentioned, the flood kits, you know, it would We would it's not clear at all that it would be an appropriate use of water rate funding for us to send every citizen in New York City or every resident of New York City a flood preparation kit.
0:55:33
However, as a way to educate people about the need to do flood preparation.
0:55:39
We've invested in that.
Keith Powers
0:55:40
Got it.
