Story by MIKE LEE

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Eric Adams agreed on a preliminary City budget, shaking hands at a ceremony at City Hall on June 27, three days before the deadline.

The nearly $116.9 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget was voted on and approved by the Council on June 30. It is the largest budget in New York City’s history.

Despite Wall Street exchanges bouncing back and forth after the Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs on dozens of countries, the City expects to receive revenues of $116 billion. This maintains the legal requirements for the City budget to remain balanced and have sufficient cash reserves.

Sunday Library Service, Culturals Funding

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget substantially raised funding for the city’s three library systems.

The $32.7 million library budget includes $2 million earmarked to expand services on Sundays for ten library branches, increasing the number to 17. As PEPtalk goes to press, these branches are yet to be determined.

This had been a central focus for DC 37 and the union’s library locals that represent workers at the New York, Brooklyn, and Queens public libraries.

The City’s cultural institutions received $75 million for next year, including $2.5 million for the Brooklyn Museum. When the layoffs were announced earlier this year, DC 37 pushed for additional funding. It’s intended to secure jobs for members of DC 37 Local 1502 and UAW Local 2110.

SAPIS, Parks Funding

This year’s budget provides $2 million for Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists (SAPIS) at the Department of Education. These Local 372 members work in the City’s public schools to provide services related to substance abuse.

New York’s Department of Parks and Recreation received an increase of $26.8 million from last year’s budget to $667.3 million. Although the funds were less than needed, they were sufficient to restore 80 PEP Officers, create 20 additional positions, restore several titles, including 43 City Park Workers, 20 Associate Parks Service Workers, 30 workers for the second shift, 10 Gardeners, and 35 Foresters.

$11.7 million was specifically earmarked to restore 50 Urban Park Rangers, as well as forest management and tree stump removal.