Committee on Oversight and Investigations meeting
March 18, 2026, 12:30 PM
The Committee on Oversight and Investigations held its FY2027 preliminary budget hearing on the Department of Investigation. The committee took testimony and recorded no votes.
What was discussed
- Committee gavels in for the DOI preliminary budget hearing Chairperson Shekar Krishnan opened the Committee on Oversight and Investigations' Fiscal 2027 preliminary budget hearing on the Department of Investigation, and counsel administered the affirmation to the agency witness.
- DOI Acting Commissioner presents the agency's preliminary budget Christopher Ryan, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Investigation, delivered the agency's testimony, highlighting DOI's investigative work, including the indictment of a former mayoral chief advisor and others, and the strain on the agency's resources.
- Why has DOI's budget and staff shrunk while the city budget grew? Chairperson Shekar Krishnan pressed on the agency's decline; Acting Commissioner Christopher Ryan confirmed the $54 million preliminary budget reflects a roughly $4 million drop over five years and a fall from 525 to 417 staff (108 fewer), even as the overall city budget rose, and said DOI had
- How reliant is DOI on asset-forfeiture funds, and how long will they last? Asked by Chairperson Shekar Krishnan, Acting Commissioner Christopher Ryan said forfeiture spending rose from $1.37 million in FY23 to roughly $9.9 million expected in FY26, that DOI's CityTime forfeiture reserve has about $20 million left of an original $32 million received in 2022, and that at the
- Can DOI meet its mandated savings targets and vacancy reductions? Finance Chair Linda Lee asked about cost-saving mandates; Acting Commissioner Christopher Ryan said DOI has struggled to identify the required 1.5% (FY26) and 2.5% (FY27) savings, is subject to the vacancy reduction with no exempt positions, and has named Deputy Commissioner Kaytlin Simmons as its
- How is DOI's oversight output holding up with fewer staff? Chairperson Shekar Krishnan asked about productivity; Acting Commissioner Christopher Ryan said DOI issued 14 reports in 2025 (two mandated), comparable to prior years, but that average investigation completion time has risen to 251 days, attributing the increase to reduced staffing and resources.
- Are DOI's specialized oversight units adequately funded? Pressed by Chairperson Shekar Krishnan across units, Acting Commissioner Christopher Ryan said the NYPD Inspector General's $1.7 million and 17 positions are appropriate, the 9/11 investigation mandate will need $4-5 million, Vendor Integrity has 18 staff, housing squads cover HPD (16) and NYCHA
- Citizens Union testifies on DOI independence and funding Ben Weinberg, Director of Public Policy at Citizens Union, testified in support of strengthening and protecting the independence and funding of the Department of Investigation, after which Chairperson Shekar Krishnan closed the hearing.
Agenda
1 item
- T2026-1384 New York City Council Budget and Oversight Hearings on The Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2027, The Preliminary Capital Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2030 and The Fiscal 2026 Preliminary Mayor’s Management Report 12:30 p.m. Department of Investigation 1:30 p.m. Public Hearing Held by Committee