Update from Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader.

Budget Hearings, and more... Message From Mike Dear Neighbor,   This week the City Council held the first of our budget hearings for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. We heard presentations from the various City of Yonkers department heads and asked them about their spending and projects for the upcoming year.   Before sharing my thoughts on the proceedings so far, let me talk a little more about how the budget works. Every year, the budget provides us with a tremendous amount of information, which can roughly be broken down into two main parts - the operating budget, covering things salaries or supplies and equipment, and the capital budget, covering major “capital” projects like construction-related projects.   Both budgets generally provide 1.      The previous years’ requests, or estimates, of spending 2.      The previous years’ expenses, which are helpful for checking for over/under-spending 3.      The departments’ requests that are currently being presented to the City Council 4.      The executive appropriation, or what the Mayor feels is appropriate for each department   It’s the City Council’s jobs to check, and then recheck, the numbers so that we can eliminate any possible waste and inefficiency that may arise. This week the commissioners and department heads explained their respective department requests to the City Council. I think that any expense, no matter how worthwhile, relies on the city’s ability to pay its debts, and being accountable to the taxpayers. Without these, mistakes can happen and become accepted as the norm, with taxpayers ending up footing the bill. This past week has given me a lot to think about, and I look forward to next week’s hearings.   *Please note the Q&A section the Yonkers Public Schools Central Office and Personnel Budget Hearing has been rescheduled for 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 14, 2019*   As always, feel free to reach out to my office with any suggestions or concerns about how we can help to improve the quality of life of those who call Yonkers home. My office can be reached at 914-377-6060 or by sending us an email at councilpresident@yonkersny.gov.   Best, Mike Para leer este mensaje en español, por favor haga clic aqui Upcoming Budget Hearings Monday, May 6, 2019 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Information Technology Tuesday, May 7, 2019 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Housing & Buildings 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Planning and Development (P&D Admin, Planning, Economic Development, Community Development, Grants, Downtown Waterfront, Real Estate, Green Policy Task Force, Landmarks Housing & Community Redevelopment Wednesday, May 8, 2019 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Fire Department Thursday, May 9, 2019 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Veterans --I invite readers to submit questions for consideration to be asked at our upcoming budget hearings by emailing us at councilpresident@yonkersny.gov. Please keep questions on topic and respectful.-- Mike's Week in Pictures Week 1 - Budget Hearings This week the City Council heard from the Departments of Human Resources and Civil Service, Constituent Services, and Parks Department, as well as the the Yonkers Public Schools’ Central Office and Personnel, and Yonkers Public Library. Watch this week's budget hearings Yonkers Rising Article I spotted a few familiar faces in last week's edition of Yonkers Rising! "Khader has shown his independence, and willingness to make his own decisions based on what he sees as what is best for the People of Yonkers" Read the rest of the rest of the article here Cinco de Mayo Senior Spring Dance This week we was the city's annual Cinco de Mayo Senior Spring Dance. The seniors showed us that spring is in the air with their moves and enjoyed a lovely cake that we brought courtesy of La Pinata Bakery! I'm already looking forward to next years dance! World Press Freedom The importance of a free, and independent press is crucial for a healthy democracy. That's why I really appreciated getting the chance to meet Vivian Salama, the Wall Street Journal's White House reporter at a recent event in Washington, D.C. and later stopped by the National Press Building. Community Notices Click here for more information about the City of Yonkers Police Auxiliary Community Events FOLLOW MIKE ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING THE ICONS BELOW! ‌ ‌ ‌ Media Inquiries: Phone: 914-377-6060 Email: councilpresident@yonkersny.gov