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Q&A
Funding plans for Big Apple Connect program
0:23:03
·
151 sec
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez inquires about the funding plans for Big Apple Connect in future fiscal years. Matthew C. Fraser explains the current funding situation and future plans for baseline funding.
- Current funding repurposed from NICE One program, around $38 million annually
- Expectation to re-baseline Big Apple Connect funding in OTI's operating budget
- Projected budget for FY 2027 and FY 2028 expected to be around $42 million at its peak
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:23:03
I want to jump to Big Apple Connect.
0:23:07
Yep.
0:23:08
So I just wanted to get a sense, I know in FY twenty six, there's it's it's included in the preliminary budget to fund Big Apple Connect.
0:23:19
Can you share a little bit about f y twenty seven, twenty eight, and just in the out years?
0:23:25
What is the the plan today for keeping the program fully funded and and functioning?
Matthew C. Fraser
0:23:33
Yeah.
0:23:33
So Big Apple Connect, as many may remember, we repurposed money that was baseline in OCI's budget to support the We've since used the Nice One money to cover the costs associated with Big Apple Connect.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:23:48
And can you confirm was that was that capital or always expense?
Matthew C. Fraser
0:23:50
That was expense funding.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:23:52
Always expense.
0:23:52
Okay.
Matthew C. Fraser
0:23:53
Yeah.
0:23:53
So Nice One was baseline in what was then known as Do It's Budget at over 47,000,000 annually.
0:24:00
Big Apple Connect as we currently sit, it's around 38,000,000.
0:24:03
And we repurposed the Nice One money to do Big Apple Connect.
0:24:09
So part of the agreement that was in place was that the Big Apple Connect term was initially for three years.
0:24:16
We are in that renewal of that term and going forward it is it is our expectation that the funding associated with Big Apple Connect will be re baselined in OTI's operating budget so that it's not a year to year conversation.
0:24:30
It's gonna be part of our operating expense going forward.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:24:33
Okay.
0:24:36
So but right now so we have it for the conclusion of that term was f y twenty six, sorry, was FY twenty six correct?
Matthew C. Fraser
0:24:44
Yeah that is is correct.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:24:46
Okay.
0:24:48
And then do you have a projection for what the potential budget would be in FY twenty seven and FY '28?
0:24:55
We
Matthew C. Fraser
0:24:56
expect to bring adoption up right now currently we're over 80% adoption across all of public housing.
0:25:02
We're looking to bring that up to as close to a % as we can get and that should fit within the baseline of what we had as part of the NICE one funding.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:25:11
But what what do you know what that amount would be?
Matthew C. Fraser
0:25:13
Yeah.
0:25:13
So as it stands right now, based on our projected rate of growth, we won't be a far departure from where we are right now.
0:25:21
I think we're what's the exact number?
0:25:24
39.4.
0:25:25
30 nine point four.
0:25:26
So I think at its peak, our projections take it as high as '42.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:25:31
Okay.
Matthew C. Fraser
0:25:31
Alright.
0:25:32
So it's not it's not a far departure from where we currently are.