Letter from the Speaker

My fellow New Yorkers:

In my State of the City address last year, I discussed the need for our city government to get back to the basics to fulfill its duty to New Yorkers. Amidst an unequal pandemic recovery that has exacerbated economic hardships, our city is facing the dire affordability challenges of skyrocketing rents, one in four children living in poverty, and a quarter of New Yorkers not being able to afford simple necessities. To meet the core needs of our city, I called for strengthening our municipal government to deliver for all New Yorkers.

The New York City Council is focused on advancing policies and investments that can provide important solutions to our city’s challenges. As a co-equal branch of government, our duty is to turn these ideas into effective laws and to conduct oversight of city agencies that ensures they more effectively deliver services to New Yorkers. Oversight and transparency are essential to accountability, which is critical to the health of our city and our democracy. Yet, laws and policies are only as effective as their implementation. While the Mayor’s Management Report provides important data about City agencies, it does not provide a complete picture to the operational performance of agencies or whether they engage in best practices in their delivery of services. This inaugural City Agency Report Card Initiative, which I first introduced as an idea in my 2024 State of the City, begins the Council’s work of conducting our own performance evaluations of City agencies in their delivery of services to New Yorkers. These evaluations are the product of extensive research and review of best practices for first-class delivery of government services. Through this Report Card Initiative, the Council will examine how our city agencies compare to best practices of local government.

Our inaugural City Agency Report Cards examine the Department of Veterans’ Services, the Department of Youth & Community Development, and the Department of Parks & Recreation. Under seven pillars of evaluation, the Council identified metrics by which to assess these City agencies. It is my hope that this analysis will serve as a tool for government leaders, municipal workers, advocates, and New Yorkers to ensure each agency is using its resources most effectively to be effective and improve. An effective and strong City government is a prerequisite to confronting our challenges, providing essential services, and delivering on our promise to New Yorkers.

I look forward to advancing the Council’s efforts to promote the oversight, transparency, and accountability our city deserves.

Sincerely,

Adrienne E. Adams
Speaker of the New York City Council