By New York City taxpayers are reeling under the financial impact of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration’s reckless spending.
An eye-opening audit by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander revealed that millions have been squandered through emergency no-bid contracts to support illegal immigrants.
Lander’s report sheds light on four emergency contracts tied to asylum-seeker services, showing a disturbing trend of wildly inconsistent and inflated pricing. The Adams administration paid sky-high rates to external contractors, far exceeding what was normally paid to long-standing shelter vendors and city workers. Lander pointed out, “At a time when the city is tightening its belt with budget cuts and hiring freezes, these no-bid contracts are a slap in the face to fiscal responsibility.”
The audit found that opting for city employees over external vendors could potentially save the city a whopping $50 million annually. Lander didn’t mince words, calling the current practice a blatant waste of taxpayer money.
A deep dive into the contracts revealed that out of 340 unique asylum-seeker contracts, many were hastily awarded with minimal oversight. This included contracts for staffing at various facilities, with three chosen without any competitive bidding – a move that raises serious questions about transparency and fiscal accountability.
The influx of over 150,000 migrants since 2022 has pushed the city’s resources to the brink. However, the audit suggests that the Adams administration’s knee-jerk response of awarding emergency contracts has been more about lining the pockets of contractors than addressing the migrant crisis efficiently.
The report highlights shocking overcharges by vendors. For instance, Texas-based SLSCO LP and migrant shelter firm DocGo billed at rates significantly higher than their competitors for similar services. Such price disparities underscore the absence of diligent financial oversight.
In a nutshell, the no-bid emergency contracts not only cost the taxpayers dearly but also turned out to be far more expensive than if the city had simply hired new employees. This misstep shows a clear lack of strategic financial planning.
Lander criticized the city departments for their lack of coordination in monitoring prices and controlling costs, leading to unchecked financial leakage. The comptroller’s audit is a wake-up call for the city – to transition to a more accountable and financially sensible contract management system. This episode stands as a glaring example of fiscal mismanagement, underscoring the need for a tighter grip on the city’s purse strings.
