Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an Ordinance adopted by the City Council on December 10, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on December 11, 2025, authorizing the Adoption of an Austerity Budget Framework and Establishing Centralized Expenditure Controls for Travel, Membership Dues, Training, and Education; be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION
OF AN AUSTERITY BUDGET FRAMEWORK AND
ESTABLISHING CENTRALIZED EXPENDITURE
CONTROLS FOR TRAVEL, MEMBERSHIP DUES,
TRAINING, AND EDUCATION
Whereas, in correspondence dated December 2, 2025, the Comptroller formally requested authorization for the City of Mount Vernon to adopt an Austerity Budget Framework for the upcoming fiscal year. Under this framework, departmental expenditures shall be limited to essential and mission-critical operations necessary to maintain core municipal services. All non-essential or discretionary spending shall be curtailed unless expressly authorized under the procedures established herein; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon continues to face persistent revenue shortfalls, including declining sales and use tax receipts, and prior fiscal operations have failed to realize projected revenues; and
Whereas, the Comptroller’s Office has recommended the implementation of an Austerity Budget Framework for the upcoming fiscal year to ensure that departmental spending is limited to essential and mission-critical functions necessary to maintain core municipal services; and
Whereas, the Comptroller further recommends removing individual departmental budget lines for Travel, Membership Dues, and Training and Education, and consolidating these categories into a single centralized budget line under the oversight of the Board of Estimate and Contract, in order to strengthen fiscal discipline and provide a more transparent and efficient method for tracking discretionary expenditures; and
Whereas, the City Council recognizes the need to enhance budgetary controls over discretionary spending-including travel, membership dues, training, education, overtime, equipment, and related categories-to ensure compliance with fiscal constraints and promote improved financial oversight; and
Whereas, adoption of these measures will promote responsible financial management, support long-term fiscal stability, and allow for more accurate assessment of departmental needs in the development of future budgets; now, therefore,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, in the State of New York, as follows:
Section 1. Adoption of the Austerity Budget Framework. The City of Mount Vernon hereby adopts an Austerity Budget Framework for the upcoming fiscal year. Under this framework, departmental expenditures shall be limited to essential and mission-critical operations necessary to maintain core municipal services. All non-essential or discretionary spending shall be curtailed unless expressly authorized under the procedures established herein.
Section 2. Centralization of Travel, Membership Dues, Training, and Education Budget Lines.
A. All departmental budget lines for Travel, Membership Dues, and Training and Education are hereby eliminated for the duration of the Austerity Budget Framework.
B. These categories shall be consolidated into a single, centralized budget line to be administered under the direct oversight of the Board of Estimate and Contract.
C. The consolidated budget line shall function in a manner similar to the contingency account and shall be subject to all applicable procurement, authorization, and reporting requirements.
Section 3. Expenditure Request and Approval Procedure.
A. Any departmental request for expenditures relating to Travel, Membership Dues, Training, or Education shall first be submitted to the Finance Office.
B. The Finance Office shall conduct a review of the request and issue a written recommendation to the Board of Estimate and Contract.
C. During the period of the Austerity Budget Framework, the City Council hereby authorizes the Board of Estimate and Contract to convene meetings and take action on such requests in accordance with established procurement policies and procedures.
Section 4. Enhanced Monitoring of Discretionary Expenditures. The Comptroller and Finance Office is hereby directed to implement enhanced monitoring of designated discretionary expenditure categories-including overtime, equipment, and other non-essential operational costs-during the period of austerity budgeting. The Finance Office shall provide periodic reports to the City Council summarizing spending trends, fiscal impacts, and compliance with this Ordinance.
Section 5. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this Ordinance is to strengthen fiscal controls, ensure the efficient and purposeful use of public funds, and support the City’s efforts to restore financial stability while maintaining essential municipal services.
Section 6. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.