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Q&A
Commissioner Strauber explains models for DOI's budgetary independence
0:29:47
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105 sec
Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber outlines various approaches to achieving budgetary independence for the Department of Investigation (DOI). She emphasizes the importance of financial autonomy for the agency's effectiveness and long-term planning.
- Strauber mentions the possibility of allocating a percentage of the city's budget to DOI
- She describes a model where the agency proposes a budget directly to the city council
- The commissioner highlights the challenges of operating under the current system of budget cuts, freezes, and unfreezes
Jocelyn E. Strauber
0:29:47
So I think there are a number of of different ways that it could be done and we outlined, you know, some of the models here.
0:29:52
One would be a percentage of the city's budget and and frankly, haven't, you know, I haven't studied all of the different models, and I don't have a percentage that that to to ask for today.
0:30:03
I think this is a good time to start exploring these issues.
0:30:06
But I think I think that is, you know, that is one way to do it.
0:30:09
Some of the other models, you know, the the agency makes a proposal to the council that then votes on that as part of its budget.
0:30:16
In certain circumstances, there can be a back and forth and and, you know, questions and recommendations made by by other bodies who who support the budget.
0:30:23
I think I think the key point is there are clearly advantages to having an independent agency that is truly independent, and I think budgetary independence is a part of that given that our size and our staffing are so critical to the amount of work and the scope of the work that we're able to do and also to our own financial planning.
0:30:44
So the current environment where there have been cuts and then freezes and then unfreezes for limited periods of time make it very hard sort of look at our structure as a whole and think about how we wanna do things going into the future and rather leave us in a position where, you know, we have to try to address our our greatest need and our greatest urgency in that moment.
0:31:06
And I think some measure of control over our own budget within appropriate, you know, and fair parameters would give us the the ability to do that kind of planning.
0:31:18
And a percentage of the city's budget obviously would ensure that, you know, we're we're not we're not necessarily immune from, you know, the city's budget challenges and we wouldn't expect to be, but that we would have a measure of separation from them.