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Commissioner assures commitment to maintain current service levels
0:28:54
·
133 sec
Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez assures Council Member Hudson that there is a commitment from OMB to maintain current service levels despite the budget cut. The council member seeks clarification and expresses some skepticism about this commitment.
- The Commissioner states that OMB has committed to continuing current service levels with no impact.
- Council Member Hudson questions why this commitment isn't reflected in the preliminary budget.
- The Commissioner expresses confidence in the commitment but cannot explain its absence from the preliminary budget.
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:28:54
We had anticipated this, what we call fiscal cliff.
0:29:02
And in our discussions with OMB and direct discussions with the director of finance, I mean director of OMB, there's been a commitment that current service levels will continue.
Crystal Hudson
0:29:21
There's been a commitment that what?
0:29:22
Sorry.
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:29:23
Current service levels will continue.
Crystal Hudson
0:29:25
Current service levels.
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:29:26
And there'll be no impact on current service levels.
Crystal Hudson
0:29:28
Okay.
0:29:33
So will additional funding then be added to support these critical services?
0:29:40
Sounds like that's a yes.
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:29:43
What I can tell you is that the commitment has been made that there will be no impact on service levels.
Crystal Hudson
0:29:50
Okay.
0:29:55
How I don't know that your answer is going to change, but how good do you feel about this commitment?
0:30:06
Like is it a firm
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:30:08
would say I am a woman of my word and I in the conversation I had with the director with the director, I believe that he's a man of his word and that that commitment will stand.
0:30:21
Okay.
Crystal Hudson
0:30:22
Then I will
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:30:23
And I also know that it is a statement that has been expressed at the various older adult town halls.
Crystal Hudson
0:30:32
Okay.
0:30:33
I guess and I think I know what your answer will be to this, but why then wouldn't it be included in the preliminary budget?
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:30:44
I I can't answer that.
Crystal Hudson
0:30:46
That's what I thought you would say.
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:30:48
But but what I can say is it is a preliminary budget, but I can also say that I feel confident in that commitment.
Crystal Hudson
0:31:00
Okay.
0:31:01
If you feel confident, then I feel confident.
0:31:05
And we'll have a So I'm going take that and
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:31:06
run with Okay.