Vacancies imperil city services, comptroller’s report concludes

Suggests hybrid option would help stem personnel exodus

Comptroller Brad Lander released a report last week reviewing, and critiquing, Mayor Eric Adams’ budget cut plans, which he argued could further emaciate the already depleted ranks of city civil service and prevent critical services from being administered. 

“On the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic, New York City government is in the midst of a vacancy crisis across many City agencies,” the report, released December 6, notes at the outset. “As of October 2022, the citywide vacancy rate stood at just under 8 percent, far greater than the pre-Covid 19 pandemic rate of about 2 percent. In many critical City agencies, it is far higher.”