Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an ordinance adopted by the City Council on May 14, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on May 15, 2025, authorizing a Budget Transfer from Contingency to City Council Outside Contracted Services to Support Legal Services for the Charter Review Commission - (COMP2025-8) - ($25,000.00) from Budget Code A1990.493 - Contingency to Budget Code A1010.405 - City Council Outside Contracted Services (Charter Review); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A BUDGET
TRANSFER FROM CONTINGENCY TO CITY
COUNCIL OUTSIDE CONTRACTED SERVICES
TO SUPPORT LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION (COMP2025-8)
Whereas, in a letter dated May 7, 2025, the Comptroller formally requested authorization for the transfer of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) from Budget Code A1990.493 - Contingency to Budget Code A1010.405 - City Council Outside Contracted Services (Charter Review); and
Whereas, the Charter Review Commission of the City of Mount Vernon has undertaken the critical task of evaluating and proposing potential amendments to the City Charter; and
Whereas, the Commission has submitted a legal services retainer to engage outside counsel to assist in the preparation and drafting of proposed Charter amendments; and
Whereas, the current budget allocation under A1010.405 - City Council Outside Contracted Services (Charter Review) is insufficient to cover the anticipated legal expenses; and
Whereas, a review of existing budget lines, including those within the Law Department’s Outside Contracted Services, determined that no discretionary funds are available to absorb the cost; and
Whereas, in the absence of a finalized scope of legal work or cost projection, a conservative estimate has been prepared projecting $24,000 in legal fees based on 20 hours per week over four weeks at a rate of $300 per hour; and
Whereas, it is prudent to transfer $25,000 from Budget Code A1990.493 - Contingency to A1010.405 - City Council Outside Contracted Services (Charter Review) to ensure sufficient funding and prevent a budget overrun; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Budget Transfer Authorization. The City Council authorizes and directs the transfer of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) from Budget Code A1990.493 - Contingency to Budget Code A1010.405 - City Council Outside Contracted Services (Charter Review).
Section 2. Purpose of Funds. The funds transferred under this Ordinance shall be used exclusively to engage legal services in support of the Charter Review Commission’s efforts to draft proposed amendments to the City Charter.
Section 3. Oversight and Monitoring. The Department of Finance shall monitor the disbursement and use of these funds. Should the Charter Review Commission require additional funding for legal services beyond the amount authorized herein, a formal request must be submitted to the Office of the Comptroller for consideration.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.