Council questions funding for immigrant services office and mayoral communications contract during budget review

Councilmembers asked detailed questions Sept. 10 about the city’s Office for Immigrant Affairs, its role and its FY2026 funding, and about a consultant contract for the mayor’s communications office.

In response to questions, a presenter described the Office for Immigrant Affairs as an office established to strengthen city services for immigrants and to coordinate with community organizations; staff said the office works with groups such as American Gateways but does not provide that organization with direct city funding. Budget staff said the office’s FY2026 proposal includes funding to extend a program for eight months while the city monitors federal regulatory developments.

Several councilmembers expressed concern over the idea of using taxpayer dollars to provide legal representation for immigrants. One councilmember said the city should not use municipal tax dollars “to provide attorneys to anyone,” and asked staff to clarify where such authority appears in the city charter; staff said they would revisit the question and provide more specifics. Staff reiterated that the office’s current proposal is for an eight‑month extension tied to federal regulatory timing.

Separately, multiple councilmembers asked about a mayoral communications contract. The mayor’s office confirmed it had executed a contract for outside communications services at a monthly rate staff described as $10,000; the mayor’s office said the level of support is consistent with prior mayoral offices and that the contractor coordinates with the city’s internal communications team. Staff said they would provide additional procurement and budget details in follow‑up materials.

No formal votes were recorded on either matter during the session; staff committed to providing additional documentation on the immigrant office’s scope and the mayoral contract’s procurement and funding source.