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OCC director warns cuts could force layoffs as city faces $380 million shortfall
Summary
Director Joy Higgs told the commission the Office of Citizen Complaints has little discretionary funding—90% personnel costs and 63% of operations for rent—and that department budgets are due Feb. 21 with mayoral guidance to submit a 2.5% cut by Dec. 21; she warned a full 10% cut could require layoffs.
Office of Citizen Complaints Director Joy Higgs told the Police Commission on Dec. 1 that the city's budget pressures could force reductions to the OCC if cuts continue. Higgs said department budgets are due Feb. 21 and departments were asked to identify a 2.5% cut by Dec. 21; she warned the OCC's budget is "comprised almost solely of personnel" and that 63% of its operations budget is for rent.
Higgs warned that if the full requested percentages were required the office could face layoffs: "It could mean layoffs because there is no money anywhere else in our budget," she said. She added the citywide budget shortfall is about $380,000,000 this year compared with roughly $500,000,000 at the same point last year. Commissioners expressed support for the OCC and said they would advocate for the office during the budget process.
Commissioners asked for further engagement with the mayor's budget office and Higgs said the OCC has historically not been required to take the full percentage cut and she is hopeful that will continue this year; the commission asked staff to follow up as the budget calendar advances.
