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Discussion on OMB's use of metrics for DFTA budget decisions
2:29:57
ยท
135 sec
Council Member Hudson questions OMB Director Jiha about how metrics and population projections are used in making budget decisions for DFTA. The exchange reveals differences in perspective on the budget decision-making process.
- Jiha explains that OMB works with agencies to understand their needs rather than determining needs independently
- Hudson expresses concern that the agency's needs are not being met, especially given the growing older adult population
- The discussion highlights the tension between the Council's desire for proactive planning based on population trends and OMB's approach of working with agency-identified needs
- Hudson emphasizes the importance of timely investment in DFTA to prepare for the growing older adult population
Crystal Hudson
2:29:57
Okay.
2:29:57
So how do you utilize the metrics when making budget decisions for DFTA specifically?
Jacques Jiha
2:30:02
We work with the agency.
2:30:03
The agency tells us their needs, what their needs are.
2:30:05
We don't make you know, we don't determine the needs of the agencies.
2:30:08
The agency comes
Gale Brewer
2:30:08
to So
Crystal Hudson
2:30:09
you don't use publicly available data on population changes to inform your decisions?
Jacques Jiha
2:30:16
Agencies come to us with resources and needs, their needs.
2:30:19
We analyze the needs that they come to us with.
2:30:22
And if the needs make sense and the resources are there, that's how we make the decisions.
2:30:27
We we don't tell agencies what to do, what their needs should be, what their needs shouldn't be.
2:30:32
They come to us
Crystal Hudson
2:30:33
But when an agency comes to you and they tell you your their needs and then you don't or not able to, or you make decisions that don't always give them the support that they're asking for, that is you essentially telling the agencies what they should or shouldn't do.
2:30:48
Or that they should do more with less, or do the same with less.
Jacques Jiha
2:30:50
Yes, of course.
2:30:51
We discuss with the agencies, we work with them as partners.
2:30:54
We don't automatically say, hey, we can do x, y, and z.
2:30:58
We review your needs, if the needs make sense, if the needs are in an emergency, all of these things get in turn to the consideration when we're making decisions.
2:31:08
So, as I said, if when we discuss it with them, we will review based on the needs and also the resources, And if the resources are there, we will, as I said to you, I promised you that before, we will work with you to make sure that the program continues they are operating.
Crystal Hudson
2:31:27
Okay, well I look forward to working very closely with you because of course, I would make the argument that the needs of the agency are not being met, especially considering the growing population of older adults here in New York City.
2:31:42
It's going to be too late if we wait until many fiscal years from now to invest in the agency that is providing the support, the services, and the resources for the older adult population.
2:31:55
And it would be helpful to know if you know, your advocacy and continued claim to want to work with the agency will actually materialize into meeting their needs.
Jacques Jiha
2:32:11
Okay.