Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
    Q&A
            Discussion on council's budget response and communication with OMB
0:54:58
·
75 sec
Council Member Carlina Rivera inquires about the council's budget response, which called for an additional $44.8 million for library systems' unmet expenses in FY2026. She asks if OMB had discussions with library representatives about this proposal.
- Dennis Walcott confirms ongoing communication between library finance teams and OMB, but lacks specific details.
- Rivera expresses disappointment if substantive conversations haven't occurred.
- The chapter highlights the importance of collaboration between libraries and city budget officials.
                                
                                    Carlina Rivera
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            0:54:58
                                        
                                        Thank you so much for your testimony.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:55:00
                                        
                                        It's always thoughtful and thorough and always with anecdotes that we appreciate truly.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:55:07
                                        
                                        In the council's budget response, we did call on the administration to add 44,800,000.0 for the library system's unmet expense need for the fiscal year 2026.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:55:19
                                        
                                        Clearly we'd love for them to execute unprecedented baselining for you all.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:55:25
                                        
                                        I think it's deserving.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:55:28
                                        
                                        That funding is not reflected in the executive plan.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:55:31
                                        
                                        Did OMB have any conversation with you all regarding the council's budget response and what we were hoping would be included?
                                    
                                
                                    Dennis Walcott
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            0:55:42
                                        
                                        I know our teams have been in conversation with OMB, but I'm not sure of the specifics, so I'll get information as we go along.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:55:51
                                        
                                        But I know there have been back and forth communication between our finance team, our operational team, and OMB as well.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:55:58
                                        
                                        But I'll give you more details.
                                    
                                
                                    Carlina Rivera
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            0:56:01
                                        
                                        That's okay.
                                    
                                            
                                            0:56:01
                                        
                                        Mean if they haven't, I'm I'm disappointed clearly, but I feel like that partnership there and the conversations should be had with you Yes,
                                    
                                
                                    Lauri Cumbo
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            0:56:12
                                        
                                        exactly.
                                    