Despite a projected gap of $1.1 billion in FY 2003, it appears that the City will end the current FY in balance. The budget stabilization account (BSA) and the general reserve will provide the City with a comfortable cushion against any shortfalls in the budget. The outlook for FY 2004 and the outyears of the financial plan shows a lackluster stock market and the 9/11 attacks continue to take their toll on the City's fiscal condition. The City has devised a comprehensive gap-closing program to balance the budget in 2003 and 2004 and reduce the outyear gaps. The increased property tax rate is expected to generate revenues of $838 million in FY 2003 , but this lower than expected increase has reduced the expected FY 2003 surplus roll. However, the Federal government needs to support the City's effort to overcome its fiscal difficulty and labor must work with the City to lower spending on personal services.
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the Comptroller for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2002 - Includes Comptroller's Letter of Transmittal, independent Auditors' Report,
Fund financial Statements, General Fund Schedules, and other schedules.
The Mayor's Executive Budget plan for the fiscal years of 2003 to 2006, analyzed by the Comptroller, has a structural imbalance. The City's revenue base is insufficient to support the proposed levels of spending, and the City faces budget gaps and large deficits.