New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today issued the following statement concerning the announcement by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn regarding new measures to improve transparency in the City budget:

“Today’s announcement represents a first step toward restoring credibility to the City Council’s budget process,” Comptroller Thompson said. “I look forward to working with Speaker Quinn on the other recommendations issued by my office this week. My hope is that, in these difficult economic times, every dollar can be accounted for from start to finish. We must reestablish the public’s confidence in this process.”

On Wednesday, Comptroller Thompson sent a letter to Quinn indicating that the Comptroller’s Office will now require all agency agreements that are funded by City Council discretionary monies regardless of amount to be reviewed by the Comptroller’s Office before any funds can be disbursed.

Additionally, he strongly urged the City to create a specific budget category for all discretionary funds identified by the City Council. The Council’s Schedule C, which itemizes all organizations and programs that the Council is funding, should also be made publicly available prior to the adoption of the City’s budget, he wrote.

Third, Thompson asked that any shifts in funding during budget modifications should specifically describe discretionary funded items. Finally, Thompson said his Office will direct the City’s auditors, Deloitte and Touche, to independently audit the Council’s discretionary fund budget process after the ongoing investigations.

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