25-1863 : Nowakowski- Response to Comptroller’s Request to Use the Committed Fund Balance

This agenda item, 25-1863, concerns a response from Council Member Mitchell P. Nowakowski to Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams regarding the use of the City's committed fund balance. The Comptroller had requested to use these funds, but the initial request did not specify the purpose. It was later understood that the request was prompted by substantial, unanticipated legal payments and settlements incurred in the previous fiscal year.

Council Member Nowakowski's response, dated November 7, 2025, highlights that the City Charter (§ 20-17.4 and § 20-17.5) requires a clear process for using and replenishing the committed and emergency stabilization funds. Specifically, funds can only be used for extraordinary operating or capital needs that could not be anticipated and funded through current budget resources. Furthermore, § 20-17.3 mandates that any expenditure from the Emergency Stabilization Fund must include a specific amount and purpose submitted to the Common Council and the Mayor.

Nowakowski respectfully requests that the Comptroller's office submit a revised notice that clearly states the purpose of the expenditures, reflecting the actual circumstances of the unanticipated legal expenses, and adheres to the process outlined in the City Charter. This is to ensure transparency, legal compliance, and the maintenance of the City's long-term fiscal stability. The item has been tabled multiple times by the Finance Committee since its referral on November 12, 2025.