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Council Member Sanchez inquires about DOB staffing levels and budget cuts
4:16:21
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Council Member Pierina Sanchez addresses the Department of Buildings' staffing levels and budget constraints. She notes the impact on average inspection times and inquires about recent additions to DOB headcount.
- Mentions previous cuts of over 500 positions since fiscal year 2022
- Asks if new positions are restorations of previous cuts
- Inquires about specific needs the additional staff will address
- Questions potential increases in filings, applications, and complaints due to City of Yes for housing opportunity
Pierina Sanchez
4:16:21
So continuing on development and enforcement staffing.
4:16:24
According to the PMMR, the agency's average inspection time, you talked a little bit about this in your testimony commissioner, the average inspection time in all categories was impacted by ongoing budgetary constraints and reduced staff capacity.
4:16:37
At last year's prelim budget hearing we spoke at length about the cut to DOB staffing that removed 134 positions in fiscal twenty four and ninety positions in fiscal twenty five and the out years.
4:16:50
That reduction capped a pattern that saw over 500 positions removed from DOB's budget since fiscal year twenty two.
4:16:57
This preliminary plan we're happy to see and hear about the successful efforts, but we're happy to see the department has added headcount.
4:17:04
Are these new positions or are they a restoration of previous cuts?
4:17:10
One, what specific needs will the additional development and enforcement staff address is the second question.
4:17:16
And third as a result of City of Yes for housing opportunity, does the department anticipate any increase, we talked about this a little bit too, but anticipate any increase in filings, applications and complaints.
4:17:27
What are you expecting?