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Council Member Brannan's opening remarks on MOCJ budget and priorities
3:05:39
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110 sec
Council Member Justin Brannan, chair of the finance committee, opens a hearing on the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) budget for FY 2026. He outlines the proposed budget, highlights key areas of focus for questioning, and acknowledges the presence of MOCJ representatives and other council members.
- MOCJ's proposed FY 2026 budget is $844.9 million, an increase of $60.6 million from the preliminary plan.
- Key areas of focus include work with public defenders, nonprofits providing reentry services, and efforts to close Rikers Island.
- Brannan emphasizes concerns about city contracting delays affecting nonprofit organizations and public defense services.
Justin Brannan
3:05:39
I am the chair of the finance committee.
3:05:41
I'm pleased to once again be joined by my friend and colleague, Councilmember Salam, who chairs the committee on public safety.
3:05:47
And we're joined for this portion by the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.
3:05:51
We've been joined by Councilmembers Sanchez and Rivera.
3:05:55
Welcome Director Logan and your team.
3:05:58
Thank you for joining us today to answer our questions.
3:06:01
On May 1, the administration released the executive financial plan for FY '20 '6 to '20 '9 with a proposed FY twenty six budget of $115,100,000,000.
3:06:12
MACJ's proposed FY twenty six budget of 844,900,000.0 represents less than 1% of the administration's proposed FY twenty six budget in the executive plan.
3:06:23
This is an increase of 60,600,000.0 from the originally allocated 784,300,000.0 in the preliminary plan back in January.
3:06:33
This net increase is mostly due to an increase in personal services spending.
3:06:40
As of March 2025, Mach J had 51 vacancies relative to their FY '25 budgeted headcount.
3:06:48
My questions will largely focus on Mok J's work with public defenders, work with nonprofits that provide reentry services, and overall funding issues and challenges.
3:06:58
City contracting delays have long been a problem with our nonprofits, But these delays directly affect a person's ability to have a defense in court when they cannot afford representation.
3:07:10
Further questions will involve how MACH J is upholding its agreement in the efforts to close Rikers Island.
3:07:16
Before Before we get started, I again want to thank Jack Storey and Casey Lieske, Owen Kotowski, everyone from the finance team back across the street at Mission Control and over here today for making these hearings possible.