Community Update Newsletter

In this issue:
	THOMPSON: DEPT. OF ED MUST IMPROVE OVERSIGHT OF SPECIAL ED SERVICES
	AUDIT FINDS FDNY FAILING TO PERFORM TIMELY FIRE ALARM INSPECTIONS
	THOMPSON REPORT: CITY’S ECONOMY STRONG, MAYOR’S BUDGET IN SHAPE

Thompson: Dept. of Ed must improve oversight of Special Ed services

View Audit

Comptroller Thompson has issued an audit finding that the New York City Department of Education (DOE) is not effectively monitoring, tracking or documenting the provision of special education services.

The audit found a pattern of flaws so severe that many students sampled often were not receiving required services when providers were absent. Auditors found that records were inadequate and incomplete, and inaccurately reported that students got services on days when schools were closed.

“The Department of Education’s special education system is in a state of dysfunction,” Thompson said. “The Department has provided woefully inadequate oversight of its delivery of service to the point that it’s often unclear whether special education students are getting the services they need.”

The audit can be viewed at www.comptroller.nyc.gov. Auditors reviewed the records of 89 mainstreamed elementary school students receiving special education services during the 2004-2005 academic year.

Audit finds FDNY failing to perform timely fire alarm inspections

View Audit

The New York City Fire Department has failed to ensure that fire alarm inspections are performed in a timely manner so that safety-related issues are identified and resolved, Comptroller Thompson reported in a new audit.

The audit found that the FDNY’s Fire Alarm Inspection Unit has not adequately ensured that requests for inspections of fire alarm systems and the results of inspections are properly recorded and reported – a finding that was first identified by the Comptroller’s Office in an audit 16 years ago.

“It is apparent that FDNY has not corrected this issue,” Thompson said. “The absence of formal procedures presents the danger that officials may not be working together to ensure that the Alarm Unit is operating as intended and opens a potential, for worse outcomes – including the abuse of authority or corruption.”

“Moreover,” he added, “the lack of timely inspections of fire alarm systems and the lack of follow-up for outstanding deficiencies noted in the written orders issued by the Alarm Unit may put the safety of the public at risk.”

The Comptroller issued 17 recommendations, asking the FDNY in part to resolve the approximately 3,200 cases that apparently had not been followed up, to reduce the backlog of outstanding inspection requests that are more than three weeks old, and to develop and implement written procedures for the Alarm Unit.

Thompson report: City’s economy strong, mayor’s budget in shape

View Thompson’s FCB remarks

View Report

Comptroller Thompson reported to the Financial Control Board last month that the City’s $59.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2008 is balanced, and cited the City economy’s strong performance and prudent fiscal management by City Hall.

“As a result of the City’s actions in FY 2007 and more optimistic revenue projects, budget gaps in fiscal years 2008 through 2010 have been either eliminated or significantly reduced,” Thompson said. “In addition to easily achieving mandated budget balance for FY 2008, the City’s Plan projects budget gaps of $1.55 billion in FY 2009 and $3.4 billion in FY 2010, much lower than the gaps of $4.584 billion and $4.069 billion projected for those years in the summer of 2006.”

Thompson analyzed the FY 2008 adopted budget and FYs 2008-2010 Financial Plan.

“The revenue adjustments to the Financial Plan by my office reflect a slightly more optimistic economic forecast than that adopted by the City,” he said. “We project the gap in FY 2009 could be as low as $553 million, and the FY 2010 gap could be cut to approximately $3.1 billion dollars.”

While Thompson reported that the overall FY 2008 adopted budget totals $59.1 billion, he pointed out that this sum does not account for expenses that were prepaid in FY 2007. Once those amounts are included, the FY 2008 budget totals $62.2 billion, a 5.8% increase from the adjusted 2007 level.

The Comptroller said the City is using several years of accumulated operating surpluses in an unprecedented multi-year expense reduction program, applying $6.52 billion in FY 2007 to reduce expenditures in FYs 2008, 2009, and 2010. The $6.52 alone approaches the level of general fund expenditures for the state of Alabama.