ALBANY – An audit of the City of Yonkers’
proposed budget for 2015-16 finds a budget gap of $25.8 million between
the city school district’s budget request and the city’s proposed
budget.
The report by the state comptroller’s office also found the budget
request did not include an appropriation for textbooks and the budget
request underestimated pension costs by approximately $460,000.
The audit said the city continues to rely on fund balance for recurring
expenditures and the appropriation for tax certiorari settlements and
contingencies may not be adequate.
State officials said the city should work with the district to eliminate
the proposed budget gap and assess appropriations for textbooks and pension
costs. The city should also develop a plan to maintain fund balance at
a reasonable level, and review the revenue estimates for metered water
and sewer rents and amend them as necessary.
The audit also said the city should assess the sufficiency of appropriations
for tax certiorari settlements and consider establishing and funding a
contingency fund.
