City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER
OF THE TITLE OF DPW DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
(ADMINISTRATIVE) TO CHIEF OF INFRASTRUCTURE
AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, AMENDING THE
2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, AND PROVIDING
FOR FUNDING AND SALARY ADJUSTMENT
Whereas, in correspondence dated February 10, 2026, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works formally requested authorization to defund and transfer the title of DPW Deputy Commissioner (Administrative) from the Department of Public Works to the Office of the Mayor, and reclassified as Chief of Infrastructure and Capital Improvements, effective February 9, 2026; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon recognizes the increasing complexity, scale, and regulatory oversight associated with infrastructure planning, capital improvement implementation, utility rehabilitation, grant administration, consent decree compliance, and long-term asset management; and
Whereas, the position of DPW Deputy Commissioner (Administrative), currently funded in part through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), has historically supported administrative and capital-related initiatives within the Department of Public Works; and
Whereas, the evolving operational and regulatory demands facing the City require centralized executive leadership and direct oversight of infrastructure and capital improvement initiatives across departments and related agencies; and
Whereas, the Mayor has determined that the establishment of a Chief of Infrastructure and Capital Improvements within the Office of the Mayor will enhance coordination, ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local mandates, and provide executive-level oversight of capital projects and infrastructure systems, including direct operational authority extending to the Board of Water Supply; and
Whereas, the proposed Chief of Infrastructure and Capital Improvements shall serve as the City’s senior executive responsible for the planning, coordination, execution, and oversight of all infrastructure and capital-related projects across the Department of Public Works and the Board of Water Supply; and
Whereas, the funding structure for this position has been strategically developed to minimize impact on the City’s General Operating Budget through EFC reimbursement, Board of Water Supply participation, and departmental cost savings;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York, as follows:
Section 1. Transfer and Reclassification of Title. The title of DPW Deputy Commissioner (Administrative) is hereby defunded and transferred from the Department of Public Works to the Office of the Mayor, and reclassified as Chief of Infrastructure and Capital Improvements, effective February 9, 2026.
The Chief of Infrastructure and Capital Improvements shall report to and serve under the general direction and supervision of the Mayor and shall exercise executive oversight over all City infrastructure and capital improvement initiatives, including coordination with and operational authority as assigned over the Board of Water Supply.
Section 2. Budget Transfer - 2026 Fiscal Year. The City Council hereby authorizes the following 2026 Fiscal Year budget transfers:
A. Transfer of Salary Appropriations
• From: A1490.101G - DPW Commissioner’s Office (Salaries & Wages) - $117,229
• To: A1210.101G - Office of the Mayor (Salaries & Wages) - $117,229
• From: A1490.101 - DPW Commissioner’s Office (Salaries & Wages) - $14,132
• To: A1210.101G - Office of the Mayor (Salaries & Wages) - $14,132
These transfers reflect the movement of funding associated with the former DPW Deputy Commissioner (Administrative) position to the Office of the Mayor.
Section 3. Salary Amendment and Funding Structure. The annual salary for the newly established Chief of Infrastructure and Capital Improvements shall be set at $175,147.29, Grade 16, in accordance with the CSEA Salary Scale as established by the Department of Human Resources.
Funding for said salary shall be allocated as follows:
1. Sixty-Seven Percent (67%) - $117,229
To be reimbursed through eligible administrative funding from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC).
2. Twenty-Five Percent (25%) - $43,787
To be funded by the Board of Water Supply pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement, with revenues accepted into Budget Line A2816 - Water Fund Transfer In.
3. Eight Percent (8%) - $14,132
To be funded through the Department of Public Works Budget Code A1490.101, derived from cost savings associated with the defunding of a Secretary position.
Section 4. Defunding of Prior Title. The title of DPW Deputy Commissioner (Administrative) is hereby defunded, and its salary allocation is reduced to $0.00.
Simultaneously, the title of Chief of Infrastructure and Capital Improvements is hereby funded at an annual salary of $175,147.29.
Section 5. Authorization to Accept Transfer Funds. The Mayor and Comptroller are hereby authorized to accept reimbursement funds from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation and funding transfers from the Board of Water Supply consistent with this Ordinance, and to make any accounting entries necessary to effectuate the intent of this legislation.
Section 6. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part 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 & Contract, and the title transfer shall be effective February 9, 2026.