Committee on Executive Administration and Labor approves FY26 budget recommendations; transfers Pathways workforce program to DOES

The Committee on Executive Administration and Labor voted unanimously June 23 to report out its FY2026 budget recommendations, approving funding levels and a set of transfers and enhancements for agencies that oversee executive administration, senior services, labor, government accountability and elections.

Chairwoman Anita Bonds, who led the markup, said the committee worked to preserve and restore programs for seniors while aligning personnel and grant funding across executive offices. “As you can see, we are looking out for our seniors in this budget,” Chairwoman Bonds said.

The committee recommended approval of the Executive Office of the Mayor’s proposed FY26 budget of $31,700,000 and 175 full-time equivalents (FTEs); the Office of the City Administrator at $10,230,000 and 64 FTEs; the Office of the Secretary at $5,400,000 and 29 FTEs; and the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel at $1,800,000 and 10 FTEs. The committee reported the Department on Aging and Community Living (DACL) proposed budget at $62,200,000 and 121.8 FTEs — a roughly 4.3% operating decrease from FY25 — and adopted several targeted restorations and transfers to offset cuts.

Key senior services enhancements accepted by the committee include a one-time $200,000 transfer to the Veeder Senior Center; recurring transfers of $350,000 for the Dementia Navigators program (implemented by Iona Senior Services) and $250,000 to support senior villages; a one-time $350,000 transfer for the Connect-a-Card transportation program; $1,200,000 in capital funding to install an elevator at the Hattie Holmes…